plural
signs
plural
signs
Britannica Dictionary definition of SIGN
[count]
1
:
a piece of paper, wood, etc., with words or pictures on it that gives information about something
-
The sign in the store window says “OPEN.”
-
After you get off the highway, follow the signs for Route 25.
-
road/street/traffic signs
-
He ran the stop sign.
-
There was a “For Sale” sign on the car.
2
:
something (such as an action or event) which shows that something else exists, is true, or will happen
-
All the signs point to him as the guilty party.
-
She ignored me, which was a sure sign that she was mad at me.
-
“The company called me in for a second interview.” “That's a good sign.”
-
It was a bad sign that he couldn't walk on the injured leg.
-
There are plenty of warning signs that the company is in danger of bankruptcy.
—
often + of
-
Chest pain could be a sign of a heart attack.
-
We remained alert for any signs of danger.
-
the telltale signs of the disease
-
the first signs of spring
-
The bartender called the police at the first sign of trouble. [=as soon as there was trouble]
-
The runner showed signs of fatigue. [=appeared to be tired]
-
His writing is showing signs of improvement. [=appears to be improving]
-
He showed no sign of remorse.
-
The planet showed no signs of life. [=there was no evidence of living things on the planet]
—
see also vital signs
3
:
a motion, action, or movement that you use to express a thought, command, or wish
-
They bowed before the king as a sign of respect.
-
The teacher made a sign for the students to be quiet.
-
a picture of the president giving the thumbs-up sign
—
see also sign of the cross
4
:
any one of the hand movements that are used in sign language
—
often + for
a sign of the times
:
something that shows the kinds of things that are happening, popular, important, etc., in a culture at a particular period in history
2
sign
/ˈsaɪn/
verb
signs;
signed;
signing
signs;
signed;
signing
Britannica Dictionary definition of SIGN
1
a
:
to write (your name) on something
[+ object]
[no object]
b
[+ object]
:
to write your name on (something) especially to show that you accept, agree with, or will be responsible for something
-
You forgot to sign the document/letter/check.
-
He was forced to sign the confession.
-
The contract was signed by both parties.
-
The author will be signing copies of his books today.
-
a signed confession
-
The contract should be signed, sealed, and delivered by tomorrow.
-
The President signed the bill into law. [=made the bill a law by signing an official document]
2
a
[+ object]
:
to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract
-
The team signed the pitcher to a three-year contract.
-
He is signed to a three-year contract.
-
The studio signed her to do another movie. = The studio signed her for another movie.
—
see also sign on (below), sign up (below)
b
[no object]
:
to agree to work for or to produce something for an organization, business, etc., especially by signing a contract
—
usually + with
-
She signed with the studio to direct two movies.
-
He signed with the team for one season.
-
The band signed with an independent label.
—
see also sign on (below), sign up (below)
3
:
to communicate by using sign language
[no object]
[+ object]
sign away
[phrasal verb]
sign (something) away
or
sign away (something)
:
to give (something, such as rights or property) to someone by signing a document
sign for
[phrasal verb]
sign for (something)
:
to sign a document to show that you have received (a package, letter, etc.)
sign in
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to sign your name on a list, in a book, etc., to show that you have arrived
b
sign (someone) in
or
sign in (someone)
:
to write the name of (someone) on a list, in a book, etc., to show that they have arrived
2
sign (something) in
or
sign in (something)
:
to sign your name on a list, in a book, etc., to show that you have returned (something that you borrowed)
sign off
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to end a letter or broadcast by signing or saying your name
-
She signed off with “Yours Truly, Maria.”
-
“This is DJ Fresh signing off. Peace.”
-
The radio station signs off [=stops broadcasting] at midnight.
2
US
sign off
or British
sign (something) off
or British
sign off (something)
:
to approve something officially by signing your name
—
usually + on in U.S. English
sign on
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to agree to do something (such as a job) especially by signing a contract
b
sign (someone) on
or
sign on (someone)
:
to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract
—
see also 2sign 2 (above)
2
:
to start a broadcast by saying your name
3
British
:
to report officially that you are unemployed in order to receive money from the government
sign out
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to sign your name on a list, in a book, etc., to show that you have left a place
b
sign (someone) out
or
sign out (someone)
:
to write the name of (someone) on a list, in a book, etc., to show that they have left a place
2
sign (something) out
or
sign out (something)
:
to sign your name on a list, in a book, etc., to show that you have borrowed (something)
sign over
[phrasal verb]
sign (something) over
or
sign over (something)
:
to give (something that you own, such as rights or property) to someone by signing a document
sign up
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to sign your name on a document or list in order to get, do, or take something
-
She signed up for health insurance.
-
He signed up for tennis lessons.
-
Students can now sign up for classes.
b
:
to indicate that you will definitely do a job, join a team, etc., especially by signing a contract
2
sign (someone) up
or
sign up (someone)
a
:
to add the name of (someone) to an official list in order for that person to get, do, or take something
b
:
to hire (someone) to do something especially by having that person sign a contract
—
see also 2sign 2 (above)