sign

Plural: signs

Noun

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
- "he showed signs of strain"
- "they welcomed the signs of spring"
a public display of a message
- "he posted signs in all the shop windows"
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
- "signals from the boat suddenly stopped"
structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted
- "the highway was lined with signboards"
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease
- "there were no signs of asphyxiation"
having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)
- "charges of opposite sign"
an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come
- "it was a sign from God"
a gesture that is part of a sign language
a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified; --de Saussure
- "The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary"
a character indicating a relation between quantities
- "don't forget the minus sign"
A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
An omen.
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.
A mark or another symbol used to represent something.
Physical evidence left by an animal.
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
An astrological sign.
Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
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.
Sign language in general.
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.

Verb

Verb Forms: signed, signing, signs

To write one's name on a document; to convey information.
mark with one's signature; write one's name (on)
- "She signed the letter and sent it off"
- "Please sign here"
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
- "Have you signed your contract yet?"
be engaged by a written agreement
- "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"
- "The soprano signed to sing the new opera"
engage by written agreement
- "They signed two new pitchers for the next season"
communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
- "He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture"
- "The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu"
place signs, as along a road
- "sign an intersection"
- "This road has been signed"
communicate in sign language
- "I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin"
make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
To make a mark
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
To make a mark
To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
To make a mark
To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
To make a mark
More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
To make a mark
To write (one's name) as a signature.
To make a mark
To write one's signature.
To make a mark
To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
To make a mark
To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
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.
To make the sign of the cross
To cross oneself.
To indicate
To communicate using a gesture or signal.
To indicate
To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
To indicate
To communicate using gestures to (someone).
To indicate
To use sign language.
To indicate
To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
To determine the sign of
To determine the sign of
To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.

Adjective Satellite

used of the language of the deaf

Examples

"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
As soon as I could SIGN my name, I was ready to play Words With Friends.
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.

Origin / Etymology

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.

Synonyms

augury, bless, contract, foretoken, gestural, house, mansion, mark, planetary house, polarity, preindication, ratify, sign of the zodiac, sign on, sign up, sign-language, signal, signaling, signalise, signalize, signboard, signed, star sign, subscribe, evidence, indication, marking, symbol

Scrabble Score: 5

sign: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
sign: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
sign: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

sign: valid Words With Friends Word