sign

sign1 [ saın ] noun ***

▸ 1 piece of evidence

▸ 2 something with words/pictures

▸ 3 movement/sound

▸ 4 written symbol

▸ 5 star sign

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) 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 sign

The 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 sign

a multiplication/division sign

5. ) count a STAR SIGN:

I'm a Scorpio. What's your sign?

sign of life

1. ) 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 times

something that shows what society is like now. Used especially for saying that you do not like what society is like.

sign

sign 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 language

signed, sealed, and delivered or signed and sealed

an agreement that is signed and sealed is officially completed

=> DOTTED LINE

,sign a`way phrasal verb transitive

if 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 something

1. ) if you sign for a package or letter, you show that you have received it by writing your name on a document

2. ) BRITISH to SIGN WITH a sports team

,sign `in phrasal verb

1. ) 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 intransitive

1. ) to end a broadcast on television or radio

a ) to end a letter

b ) to end a conversation by radio or computer

2. ) 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 INFORMAL

sign 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 verb

1. ) 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 verb

1. ) 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 transitive

to 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 verb

1. ) 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 transitive

sign 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.