- sign
- sign1 [ saın ] noun ***▸ 1 piece of evidence▸ 2 something with words/pictures▸ 3 movement/sound▸ 4 written symbol▸ 5 star sign▸ + PHRASES1. ) count or uncount a piece of evidence that something is happening or that something exists: INDICATION:sign of: I couldn't see any signs of progress.see/take something as a sign: Ann took his silence as a sign of rejection.sure sign: She began tapping her foot, a sure sign of annoyance.no/little etc. sign: There were few signs of an upturn in the economy.sign that: He had somehow missed the signs that she was upset.show no/little/every etc. sign: Flu infection rates show no sign of declining yet.a ) something that suggests that a good or bad thing will happen in the future:The fact that he phoned you is a good sign.warning/danger sign: Looking back now, I realize I failed to spot the warning signs.a sign of things to come (=a sign of what will happen in the future): Recent job losses are probably a sign of things to come.b ) evidence that someone is present:sign of: When we came out of the station there was no sign of her.2. ) count a flat object with words or pictures on it, put in a public place to provide information or advertise something:a flashing neon signThe store had a closed sign in the window.follow the signs: Turn right and just follow the brown signs to the zoo.obey/ignore a sign: Several people were ignoring the no-smoking sign.3. ) count a movement or sound you make that tells other people what you want, how you feel, what they should do, etc: SIGNAL:a sign to someone (to do something): Marcie winked, our sign to each other to remain silent.a ) a movement you make with your hands that has a special meaning:give a sign: He turned and gave the familiar thumbs-up sign to the crowd.4. ) count a written symbol that has a particular meaning, such as % meaning percent or $ meaning dollar :a dollar signa multiplication/division sign5. ) count a STAR SIGN:I'm a Scorpio. What's your sign?sign of life1. ) evidence that a person is alive:When the man was finally rescued, he showed no sign of life.2. ) evidence that there is someone in a place:The only sign of life in the house was the light from a television.a sign of the timessomething that shows what society is like now. Used especially for saying that you do not like what society is like.signsign 2 [ saın ] verb ***1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on something in your own personal way:You haven't signed Rory's birthday card yet.Just sign here.sign an autograph: Players from both teams were signing autographs before the game.a ) to write your full name on a document to show that you agree with what is written in it:Please sign and date the form.The contract must be signed before we can proceed with the work.sign something with someone: The team has signed a special agreement with the players.b ) if a group or country signs a document, its official representatives sign it to agree to what it says:The rebels have now signed the ceasefire agreement.A trade agreement was signed today by the U.S. and China.sign something into law (=to officially sign a new law): The legislation was passed and signed into law last year.2. ) sign or sign up transitive to officially employ someone to work for a particular organization:The team needs to sign several replacement players.sign someone to/for something: Within months, the group was signed to a major record company.3. ) intransitive or transitive to communicate using sign languagesigned, sealed, and delivered or signed and sealedan agreement that is signed and sealed is officially completed=> DOTTED LINE,sign a`way phrasal verb transitiveif you sign away property or a right to something, you agree that it no longer belongs to you by writing your name on a document`sign ,for phrasal verb transitive sign for something1. ) if you sign for a package or letter, you show that you have received it by writing your name on a document2. ) BRITISH to SIGN WITH a sports team,sign `in phrasal verb1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on an official list when you arrive at a place:All visitors must sign in at the front desk.sign someone in: He's signed you in and is waiting for you inside.2. ) transitive if you sign in something you have borrowed, you write your name on an official list to show that you have returned it─ opposite SIGN OUT,sign `off phrasal verb intransitive1. ) to end a broadcast on television or radioa ) to end a letterb ) to end a conversation by radio or computer2. ) BRITISH to officially state that you now have a job and no longer need to receive money from the government─ opposite SIGN ON,sign `off on phrasal verb transitive AMERICAN INFORMALsign off on something to officially agree to something:White House officials said the president has signed off on the policy and issued an executive order.,sign `on phrasal verb1. ) intransitive AMERICAN to agree to do something or to take part in something:Companies have signed on as business partners with high schools across the country.sign on to something: We're hopeful that they will sign on to this plan.2. ) intransitive to write your name or a secret word in order to use a computer: LOG ON:You need your password to sign on.3. ) transitive to employ someone to do a job:We've signed on three new employees.4. ) intransitive BRITISH to apply to receive money from the government when you have lost your job─ opposite SIGN OFF,sign `out phrasal verb1. ) intransitive or transitive to write your name on an official list when you leave a place:sign someone out: I'll sign both of us out.2. ) transitive if you sign out an object or vehicle, you write your name on an official list to show that you have borrowed or rented it:I'll sign out a laptop for the weekend.─ opposite SIGN IN,sign `over phrasal verb transitiveto officially give your property to someone by writing your name on a document:He's nervous about signing over the whole farm.sign something over to someone: Her dad signed the car over to her.,sign `up phrasal verb1. ) intransitive to agree to do something or to join a program or organization:It's a voluntary course students only sign up if they want to.sign up for: She's decided to sign up for music school.2. ) transitive to put someone's name on an official list for something:sign someone up (to do something): They've signed me up to do voluntary work next month.3. ) transitive same as SIGN 2 2:We have signed up two new players.`sign with phrasal verb transitivesign with something if you sign with a sports team, you join it by signing a contract:He has an offer to sign with the Phoenix Suns.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.