Word family noun sign signal signatory signature signing signaller adjective signed ≠ unsigned verb sign signal adverb signally
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishldoce_235_gsignsign1 /saɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 gives information [countable]SIGN/SYMBOL a piece of paper, metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives people information, warnings, or instructions a sign on the door road signs a no smoking sign Don’t ignore the fog warning signs.2 shows something is true [countable]SIGN/INDICATION an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists SYN indicationsign of A red morning sky is a sign of an impending storm. Crying is seen as a sign of weakness. A paw print in the dust was a sign that a tiger was close. There are signs that the situation is improving. There were no signs of forced entry into the house.3 movement or sound [countable]SIGN/GESTURE a movement, sound etc that you make in order to tell someone something the thumbs-up sign (=a sign that you make with your hand to show that something is successful)give/make a sign Wait until I give the sign.sign that Bruce made a sign that he was ready to leave.sign (for somebody) to do something Three short blasts on the whistle was the sign to begin.4 symbol [countable]SIGN/SYMBOL a mark or shape that has a particular meaning SYN symbol the dollar sign a minus sign5 star sign [countable] (also star sign)ROA a group of stars, representing one of 12 parts of the year, that some people believe influences your behaviour and your life What sign are you? 6 language [uncountable]SLL a language that uses hand movements instead of spoken words, used by people who cannot hear SYN sign language7 → there is no sign of somebody/something8 → sign of life9 → sign of the times10 → the sign of the CrossCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or existsADJECTIVES/NOUN + signa clear/obvious/unmistakable signThere are clear signs of a slowdown in economic growth.a sure sign (=a very clear sign)He was walking up and down, a sure sign that he was worried.a good/positive/encouraging/hopeful signIf she can move her legs, that’s a good sign.a bad/ominous signThe jury was taking ages to make up its mind, which he felt was probably a bad sign.an outward/visible sign (=one that people can see clearly)Kim received the news without showing any visible sign of emotion.a warning sign (=one that shows something bad might be happening)In this case, social workers missed the warning signs and failed to protect the children.a telltale/tell-tale sign (=signs that clearly show something bad)She would not look at me directly, a tell-tale sign that she was embarrassed.the first sign of something (=the first thing that shows something is happening, or something exists)They ran off at the first sign of trouble.an early sign (=a sign near the beginning of something that shows that it is happening, or that it exists)an early sign of springverbsthere are signsThere are now signs of an improvement in the economy.have signsIt had all the signs of a crime of passion.show signs of somethingDid she show any signs of distress?bear signs of something (=have signs)The bed was neatly made and bore no signs of having been slept in.see/detect signs of somethingI could see some signs of improvement in her health. THESAURUSsign [countable] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or existsThe curtains were still drawn and there was no sign of activity.A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.indication [countable] a sign. Indication is more formal than signRecently there have been several indications of improving relations.There was no indication the killings were related to the drug trade.evidence [uncountable] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true, especially something that you are trying to proveScientists are hoping to find evidence that there was once life on Mars.There was not enough evidence to convict him of the murder.symptom [countable] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem existsThe first symptoms are tiredness and loss of weight.Is this a symptom of the decay of Western civilization?indicator [countable] a sign that shows you what is happening or what is true – used about a process, or about the state or level of somethingThere are a number of indicators of economic slowdown.The tests are considered a good indicator of intelligence.signal [countable] a sign that shows that you should do something, or that you have a particular attitudeSevere chest pain is a warning signal that cannot be ignored.Legalizing drugs could send the wrong signal to young people.mark [countable] a sign, especially that you respect or honour someonePeople stood in silence as a mark of respect.It was a mark of her popularity that so many colleagues and friends attended the presentation. Examples from the Corpus
sign• Mardas threw his hands in the air - a sign to his supporters that victory was theirs.• He raised his hand in a sign of greeting.• If the individual can not feel the tiny pricking sensation, it is a sign of faulty nerve function in the feet.• A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.• Here is one instance of a sign or message being separated from emotion or content.• When the teacher puts her finger to her lips, it's a sign for you all to be quiet.• A sign was put up in order to remind staff whenever I was on duty.• There was a big sign above the entrance.• You've forgotten to put the dollar sign before the total amount.• Stan has some of the early signs of heart disease.• The rise in consumer spending is an encouraging sign that the economy may be recovering.• Write your answer after the equals sign.• Its first sign is purple marks on the skin, but as it progresses it kills.• Therapy should begin when the first signs are noticed.• A neon sign flashed on and off in the window.• Other new signs posted to describe scenery have been desecrated or struck down.• Police searched the house thoroughly but found no signs of a break-in.• But this is not what has happened: at least, my data shows no sign of it.• Where's the percentage sign on this keyboard?• Out in the desert there are hardly any road signs along the highway.• Exports are lower, household spending is weakening and businesses show signs of losing faith in their investment plans.• Didn't you see the "No smoking" sign?• a stop sign• When Emma offers to help you it's a sure sign that she wants something from you!• What did that sign say?• Turn left and then follow the signs till you get to the freeway.• And on this sign, the same mug of beer, yellow and foaming.• What's your sign?road signs• Takes minutes to drive 6 miles into centre of Bideford due to endlessness of roads and imbecilic road signs.• Mammoth road signs do their best to ensure that such oversights do not occur.• There are no road signs in uncharted territory, no footprints to follow in places where no one has ventured before.• This happened to me on the Seven Mile Straight at recently, a lorry coming in the opposite direction in spite of road signs.• Drop the requirement for use of the metric system on road signs.• Through our windshields we see road signs and tail-lights-technology has blinkered us.• Recently a group of community activists led by Long proposed setting up road signs that would identify it as Citrus Ridge.sign of• Do you see any signs of improvement in her condition? sign (for somebody) to do something• Once the men had spoken to the chief, he made a sign for Isaac to address him.• He tugged his ear lobe, our agreed sign for the other to remain silent.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• They talked to each other again, and then the first horse made clear signs for me to follow him.• They looked furious when they saw our faces peering in and made frantic signs for us to close the curtains again.signsign2 ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 name [intransitive, transitive]SIGN YOUR NAME to write your signature on something to show that you wrote it, agree with it, or were present Sign here, please. The artist had signed his name in the corner of the painting. You forgot to sign the cheque. Over a hundred people have signed the petition. Serena signs her autograph every time she’s asked. a signed photo of Paul McCartney► see thesaurus at write2 → sign an agreement/contract/treaty etc3 music/sport [intransitive, transitive]BE if a football team or music company signs someone, or if someone signs for them, that person signs a contract in which they agree to work for them CBS Records had signed her back in 1988 on a three-album contract.sign for/to/with Miller worked in the shipyards before signing for Rangers. Before long, they had signed with Virgin.4 → sign on the dotted line5 → sign a bill/legislation/agreement into law6 → (all) signed and sealed7 use movements [intransitive]SIGN/GESTURE to try to tell someone something or ask them to do something by using signs and movements SYN signalsign to somebody to do something He signed to the maid to leave the room.sign for somebody to do something She signed for us to go inside.8 language [intransitive, transitive]SLLSPEAK A LANGUAGE to use, or translate something into, sign language —signer noun [countable] → sign something ↔ away → sign for something → sign in → sign off → sign on → sign out → sign something ↔ over → sign up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
sign• The negotiations, on rescheduling debts payable between mid-1991 and mid-1993, made some progress but no agreements were signed.• Did the doctor ask you to sign a consent form Mrs Harris?• Almost 200,000 Czechs signed a petition protesting at Mr Hodac's appointment, and each night thousands gather outside the studios.• Also, the Cowboys have some significant free agents to sign after this season.• Simmons was signed as a free agent in 1994.• On 15 May 1679 the marriage contract was signed at Lisbon.• The governor's speech will be signed by an interpreter for the hearing-impaired.• Could you sign for this package, please?• Clinton has refused to sign GOP-backed legislation to reimburse the fired travel office personnel for their legal expenses.• Just sign here by the X.• Sign here please.• This was the first sanction imposed by the Commission since the Euratom treaty had been signed in 1957.• Where do you want me to sign my name?• Would you like to sign our guest book?• You forgot to sign the credit card slip.• Each tenant will have to sign the lease.• The following year, Bark Psychosis signed to Virgin and finally began to fulfil the promise of their live shows.• They also sign veteran Charlie Hayes.signs ... autograph• Minnie greets guests, signs autographs and poses for photos by her house.sign for/to/with• Twenty years ago, it was scandalous when a baseball pitcher named Wayne Garland signed for $ 200,000 a year.• He made frantic signs to Angalo.• He stirred as below stairs the maid tinkled a bell, the sign for dinner.• So what we need is a similar system of signs for human beings.• The venue was a storefront with no sign to identify it.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• They signed with Virgin early in 1982.sign for somebody to do something• Once the men had spoken to the chief, he made a sign for Isaac to address him.• They looked furious when they saw our faces peering in and made frantic signs for us to close the curtains again.• They talked to each other again, and then the first horse made clear signs for me to follow him.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• He tugged his ear lobe, our agreed sign for the other to remain silent.From Longman Business Dictionarysignsign1 /saɪn/ verb1[intransitive, transitive]BANKING to write your SIGNATURE on a letter, document, or CHEQUEThe customer must sign the traveller’s cheque in front of the cashier.2sign an agreement/contractCOMMERCE to show formally that you agree to do something, by signing a legal documentIn September, the company signed a contract to produce two million doses of the vaccine.3signed and sealed/signed, sealed, and delivered with all the necessary legal documents agreed and signedThe agreement is not signed and sealed yet. → sign on→ See Verb tablesignsign2 noun [countable]1a piece of paper, metal etc in a public place, with words or drawings on it that give people information, warn them not to do something etca no smoking sign2a picture, shape etc that has a particular meaningFor some reason the computer can’t display the dollar sign.Origin sign1 (1200-1300) Old French signe, from Latin signum “mark, sign, image, seal” sign2 (1300-1400) Old French signer, from Latin signare, from signum; → SIGN1 