sign

noun

(countable, uncountable) A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.

A mark or another symbol used to represent something.

A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.

(Canada, US, Australia, uncountable) Physical evidence left by an animal.

A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.

(uncountable) Sign language in general.

An omen.

(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.

(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.

A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); (linguistics, semiotics) a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. (See sign (semiotics).)

A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.

(astrology) An astrological sign.

A wonder; miracle; prodigy.

verb

(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.

(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.

(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.

To indicate

(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.

(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.

(intransitive) To write one's signature.

(transitive or reflexive) To write (one's name) as a signature.

To make the sign of the cross

(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.

(reflexive) To cross oneself.

To determine the sign of

(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.

(transitive) To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.

(intransitive) To use sign language.

(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).

(intransitive) To communicate using a gesture or signal.

(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.

To make a mark

(transitive, now rare) To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.

Roots

signumsign- · Latin · mark, sign

Synonyms for sign

undersignv signboardn foretokenn signalizev contractn ratifyv signaladj auguryn markn subscribev countersignn indicationn cosignv placardn signaturen symboln tokenadj notarizev omenn

Synonyms & related words for sign

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of sign — including undersign, signboard, foretoken, signalize, contract, ratify. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to sign

Explore words related to sign — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include signage, signposts, rubricate, signposted, autographed, signposting, charactery, cosignatory. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for sign

Common synonyms for sign include undersign, signboard, foretoken, signalize, contract, ratify, signal, augury — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does sign come from?

The word sign breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root sign-, from Latin signum (“mark, sign”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.