Sign

/saɪn/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
  • Grammar: sign is listed as noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: mark, signal, a glyph, abandon.
  • Useful contrasts: unexecuted contract, no sign, conceal.
  • Usage evidence: To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence.

How to use "sign"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sign" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sign" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sign" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sign" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "sign" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "mark" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "sign", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen. countable, uncountable

    "Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk."

  2. 2
    structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted wordnet
  3. 3
    A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.; An omen. countable, uncountable

    ""It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said."

  4. 4
    a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened) wordnet
  5. 5
    A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.; A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient. countable, uncountable

    "Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective."

Show 19 more definitions
  1. 6
    any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message wordnet
  2. 7
    A mark or another symbol used to represent something. countable, uncountable

    "The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step."

  3. 8
    a public display of a message wordnet
  4. 9
    Physical evidence left by an animal. Australia, Canada, US, uncountable

    "The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail."

  5. 10
    a character indicating a relation between quantities wordnet
  6. 11
    A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures. countable, uncountable

    "The sign in the window advertised a room for rent."

  7. 12
    a gesture that is part of a sign language wordnet
  8. 13
    A wonder; miracle; prodigy. countable, uncountable

    "And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs."

  9. 14
    a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified wordnet
  10. 15
    An astrological sign. countable, uncountable

    "Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise."

  11. 16
    an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come wordnet
  12. 17
    Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign. countable, uncountable

    "I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong."

  13. 18
    (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided wordnet
  14. 19
    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. countable, uncountable

    "And why not, as well as our dumbe men dispute, argue and tell histories by signes?"

  15. 20
    having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges) wordnet
  16. 21
    Sign language in general. uncountable

    "Sorry, I don't know sign very well."

  17. 22
    (medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease wordnet
  18. 23
    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).) countable, uncountable

    "A Noun substantive and a Noun adjective may be thus distinguished, that a substantive may have the sign a or the before it; as, puer, a boy, the boy; but an adjective cannot, as, bonus, good."

  19. 24
    A military emblem carried on a banner or standard. countable, uncountable

    "The great Ensign of Messiah blaz'd Aloft by Angels born, his Sign in Heav'n."

Verb
  1. 1
    To make a mark; To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. archaic, transitive

    "The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet."

  2. 2
    make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate wordnet
  3. 3
    To make a mark; To mark, to put or leave a mark on. transitive

    "Meantime revolving in his thoughtful mind / The scar, with which his manly knee was sign'd […]."

  4. 4
    be engaged by a written agreement wordnet
  5. 5
    To make a mark; To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it. transitive

    "Enquire the Iewes house out, giue him this deed, / And let him signe it […]."

Show 20 more definitions
  1. 6
    communicate in sign language wordnet
  2. 7
    To make a mark; More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc. transitive

    "I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt."

  3. 8
    mark with one's signature; write one's name (on) wordnet
  4. 9
    To make a mark; To write (one's name) as a signature. reflexive, transitive

    "Just sign your name at the bottom there."

  5. 10
    communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs wordnet
  6. 11
    To make a mark; To write one's signature. intransitive

    "Please sign on the dotted line."

  7. 12
    place signs, as along a road wordnet
  8. 13
    To make a mark; To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc. intransitive

    "Agents say Wales back Gavin Henson has signed for Cardiff Blues."

  9. 14
    engage by written agreement wordnet
  10. 15
    To make a mark; To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract. transitive

    "It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players."

  11. 16
    approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation wordnet
  12. 17
    To make the sign of the cross; To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross. transitive

    "We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross."

  13. 18
    To make the sign of the cross; To cross oneself. reflexive

    "Shaking a fist at him with one fierce arm, / Signing himself with the other because of Christ."

  14. 19
    To indicate; To communicate using a gesture or signal. intransitive

    "I signed to Brown to make his retreat."

  15. 20
    To indicate; To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign. transitive

    "Pierre signed his acquiescence, and Isabel proceeded:"

  16. 21
    To indicate; To communicate using gestures to (someone). transitive

    "He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway."

  17. 22
    To indicate; To use sign language. intransitive
  18. 23
    To indicate; To furnish (a road etc.) with signs. transitive
  19. 24
    To determine the sign of
  20. 25
    To determine the sign of; To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign. transitive
Adjective
  1. 1
    used of the language of the deaf wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
marksignala glyphabandonabnormalityaccent

Antonyms

unexecuted contractno signconcealdeny

Example

"To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence."

Common questions

What does "sign" mean?

A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.

What is a synonym for "sign"?

Common synonyms include: mark, signal, a glyph, abandon, abnormality, accent.

How do you use "sign" in a sentence?

To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence.

How do you pronounce "sign"?

Pronounced /saɪn/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English signe, sygne, syng, seine, sine, syne, from Old English seġn (“sign; mark; token”) and Old French signe, seing (“sign; mark; signature”); both from Latin signum (“a mark; sign; token”); root uncertain. Doublet of signum. Partially displaced native token.

Etymology 2

From Middle English signen, seinen, seinien, partly from Old English seġnian (“to mark; sign”) and partly from Anglo-Norman seigner, seiner et al., Old French signer et al., and their source Latin signāre (“to mark, seal, indicate, signify”); all from Latin signum (“a mark, sign”); see Etymology 1, above. Compare sain.

More for "sign"

Synonyms

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