sign

Word family  noun sign signal signatory signature signing signaller adjective signed ≠ unsigned verb sign signal adverb signally

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Astrology, Languages

ldoce_235_gsign1 /saɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 noun  1  gives information 传达信息 [countable]SIGN/SYMBOL a piece of paper, metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives people information, warnings, or instructions 标记，指示牌，标牌 a sign on the door 门上的标牌 road signs 路标 a no smoking sign 禁止吸烟的告示牌 Don’t ignore the fog warning signs. 不要忽视雾警标志。 →5  See picture of sign 告示牌, poster 海报, placard 标语牌 ... →4  See picture on 见图 Page A13 Town 城镇2  shows STH is true 表明某事属实 [countable]SIGN/INDICATION an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists 迹象，痕迹，征兆 SYN indicationsign of A red morning sky is a sign of an impending storm. 早晨的红霞预示着暴风雨即将来临。 Crying is seen as a sign of weakness. 哭被看作软弱的表现。 A paw print in the dust was a sign that a tiger was close. 沙土里的一个爪印表明附近有老虎。n There are signs that the situation is improving. There were no signs of forced entry into the house. 没有强行入室的痕迹。3  movement or sound 动作或声音 [countable]SIGN/GESTURE a movement, sound etc that you make in order to tell someone something 手势；示意动作；信号 the thumbs-up sign (=a sign that you make with your hand to show that something is successful) 〔示意成功的〕翘拇指手势give/make a sign Wait until I give the sign. 等我给你信号。sign that Bruce made a sign that he was ready to leave. 布鲁斯做了个手势表示他可以走了。sign (for somebody) to do something Three short blasts on the whistle was the sign to begin. 三声短哨是开始的信号。4  symbol 符号 [countable]SIGN/SYMBOL a mark or shape that has a particular meaning 符号，记号 SYN symbol the dollar sign 美元符号 a minus sign 减号5  star sign 星座 [countable] (also star sign)ROA a group of stars, representing one of 12 parts of the year, that some people believe influences your behaviour and your life 宫〔黄道十二宫之一〕，星座 What sign are you? 你是什么星座？6. language 语言 [uncountable]SLL a language that uses hand movements instead of spoken words, used by people who cannot hear 〔聋人的〕手语 SYN sign language7  there is no sign of somebody/something used to say that someone or something is not in a place or cannot be found 没有某人/某物的踪影 I waited for two hours but there was still no sign of her. 我等了两个小时，还是不见她的踪影。8  sign of life a) living/alivea movement that shows that someone is alive, or something that shows that there are people in a particular place 〔人〕活着的迹象；有人的迹象 She listened intently for signs of life. 她专注地听是否有人活动的迹象。 b) something that shows that a situation is becoming more active 形势好转[复苏]的迹象 Commercial property markets are now showing definite signs of life. 商业地产市场现在出现了明显的复苏迹象。9  sign of the times SIGN/INDICATIONsomething that shows how people live now 时尚，时代特征 It’s just a sign of the times that many children have mobile phones. 许多孩子都有手机，这只是个时代特征。10. the sign of the Cross RRCSIGN/GESTUREthe hand movement that some Christians make in the shape of a cross, to show respect for God or to protect themselves from evil 〔基督徒〕画十字的手势 COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists 迹象，痕迹，征兆ADJECTIVES/NOUN + signa clear/obvious/unmistakable sign 明显/明白无误的迹象There are clear signs of a slowdown in economic growth. 有明显的迹象表明经济增长放缓了。a sure sign (=a very clear sign) 非常明确的迹象He was walking up and down, a sure sign that he was worried. 他来回踱步,显然是在担心。a good/positive/encouraging/hopeful sign 好的/积极的/令人鼓舞的迹象If she can move her legs, that’s a good sign. 如果她的腿能动,就是个好的迹象。a bad/ominous sign 不好的兆头The jury was taking ages to make up its mind, which he felt was probably a bad sign. 陪审团久久没有作出决定,他感觉这可能是个不好的兆头。an outward/visible sign (=one that people can see clearly) 明显的迹象nKim received the news without showing any visible sign of emotion.a warning sign (=one that shows something bad might be happening) 警示nIn this case, social workers missed the warning signs and failed to protect the children.a telltale/tell-tale sign (=signs that clearly show something bad) 明显的不好迹象nShe would not look at me directly, a tell-tale sign that she was embarrassed.the first sign of something (=the first thing that shows something is happening, or something exists) 某事物发生nThey ran off at the first sign of trouble.nan early sign (=a sign near the beginning of something that shows that it is happening, or that it exists)an early sign of springverbsthere are signs 有…的迹象There are now signs of an improvement in the economy. 现在经济有了好转的迹象。nhave signsIt had all the signs of a crime of passion.show signs of something 表现出…样子Did she show any signs of distress? 她是否表现出痛苦的样子？nbear signs of something (=have signs)The bed was neatly made and bore no signs of having been slept in.see/detect signs of something 看到/看出…的迹象I could see some signs of improvement in her health. 我看到她身体有好转的迹象。 THESAURUSsign [countable] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists 〔表明某事正在发生或某事属实或存在的〕迹象,痕迹The curtains were still drawn and there was no sign of activity. 窗帘依然拉着,没有人活动的痕迹。A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well. 80 或80分以上说明你考得很好。indication [countable] a sign. Indication is more formal than sign 迹象〔indication比sign正式〕Recently there have been several indications of improving relations. 近来有些迹象表明关系在好转。nThere was no indication the killings were related to the drug trade.evidence [uncountable] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true, especially something that you are trying to prove 证据,证明Scientists are hoping to find evidence that there was once life on Mars. 科学家们希望找到火星上曾有生命存在的证据。There was not enough evidence to convict him of the murder. 没有足够的证据证明他犯有谋杀罪。symptom [countable] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem exists 症状；征候The first symptoms are tiredness and loss of weight. 初期症状是疲倦和体重减轻。Is this a symptom of the decay of Western civilization? 这是不是西方文明衰落的征候？indicator [countable] a sign that shows you what is happening or what is true – used about a process, or about the state or level of something 〔过程、状态或水平的〕指示物,指标There are a number of indicators of economic slowdown. 有一些指标显示经济在放缓。The tests are considered a good indicator of intelligence. 这些测试被认为能够很好地反映一个人的智力水平。signal [countable] a sign that shows that you should do something, or that you have a particular attitude 〔应该做某物或有某种态度的〕信号Severe chest pain is a warning signal that cannot be ignored. 胸口剧痛是一个不容忽视的警告信号。nLegalizing drugs could send the wrong signal to young people.mark [countable] a sign, especially that you respect or honour someone 〔表示尊敬等的〕示意People stood in silence as a mark of respect. 人们静默肃立以示恭敬。nIt was a mark of her popularity that so many colleagues and friends attended the presentation.

Examples from the Corpus

sign• Mardas threw his hands in the air - a sign to his supporters that victory was theirs.• He raised his hand in a sign of greeting.• If the individual can not feel the tiny pricking sensation, it is a sign of faulty nerve function in the feet.• A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.• Here is one instance of a sign or message being separated from emotion or content.• When the teacher puts her finger to her lips, it's a sign for you all to be quiet.• A sign was put up in order to remind staff whenever I was on duty.• There was a big sign above the entrance.• You've forgotten to put the dollar sign before the total amount.• Stan has some of the early signs of heart disease.• The rise in consumer spending is an encouraging sign that the economy may be recovering.• Write your answer after the equals sign.• Its first sign is purple marks on the skin, but as it progresses it kills.• Therapy should begin when the first signs are noticed.• A neon sign flashed on and off in the window.• Other new signs posted to describe scenery have been desecrated or struck down.• Police searched the house thoroughly but found no signs of a break-in.• But this is not what has happened: at least, my data shows no sign of it.• Where's the percentage sign on this keyboard?• Out in the desert there are hardly any road signs along the highway.• Exports are lower, household spending is weakening and businesses show signs of losing faith in their investment plans.• Didn't you see the "No smoking" sign?• a stop sign• When Emma offers to help you it's a sure sign that she wants something from you!• What did that sign say?• Turn left and then follow the signs till you get to the freeway.• And on this sign, the same mug of beer, yellow and foaming.• What's your sign?road signs• Takes minutes to drive 6 miles into centre of Bideford due to endlessness of roads and imbecilic road signs.• Mammoth road signs do their best to ensure that such oversights do not occur.• There are no road signs in uncharted territory, no footprints to follow in places where no one has ventured before.• This happened to me on the Seven Mile Straight at recently, a lorry coming in the opposite direction in spite of road signs.• Drop the requirement for use of the metric system on road signs.• Through our windshields we see road signs and tail-lights-technology has blinkered us.• Recently a group of community activists led by Long proposed setting up road signs that would identify it as Citrus Ridge.sign of• Do you see any signs of improvement in her condition?sign (for somebody) to do something• Once the men had spoken to the chief, he made a sign for Isaac to address him.• He tugged his ear lobe, our agreed sign for the other to remain silent.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• They talked to each other again, and then the first horse made clear signs for me to follow him.• They looked furious when they saw our faces peering in and made frantic signs for us to close the curtains again.

Related topics: Languages

sign2 ●●● S1 W1 verb  1  name 姓名 [intransitive, transitive]SIGN YOUR NAME to write your signature on something to show that you wrote it, agree with it, or were present 签 （名），署（名）；在…上签字 Sign here, please. 请在这里签字。 The artist had signed his name in the corner of the painting. 画家在画的角上落了款。 You forgot to sign the cheque. 你忘记在支票上签名了。 Over a hundred people have signed the petition. 已有一百多人在请愿书上签了名。 Serena signs her autograph every time she’s asked. 每次有人请塞雷娜签名她都会签。 a signed photo of Paul McCartney 一张保罗·麦卡特尼的签名照片► see thesaurus at write2  sign an agreement/contract/treaty etc SIGN YOUR NAMEto make a document, agreement etc official and legal by writing your signature on it 签署协议书/合同/条约等 France has just signed a new trade deal with Japan. 法国刚刚和日本签署了一项新的贸易协定。3  music/sport 音乐/体育运动 [intransitive, transitive]BE if a football team or music company signs someone, or if someone signs for them, that person signs a contract in which they agree to work for them （和…）签约 CBS Records had signed her back in 1988 on a three-album contract. 哥伦比亚唱片公司早在 1988 年就和她签订了发行三张专辑的合同。sign for/to/with Miller worked in the shipyards before signing for Rangers. 米勒在签约流浪者队之前在造船厂干活。 Before long, they had signed with Virgin. 他们不久就和维珍唱片公司签了约。4  sign on the dotted line informal to officially agree to something by signing a contract 签字同意 Make sure the repairs are done before you sign on the dotted line. 确定修好了再签字。5. sign a bill/legislation/agreement into law if someone in authority signs something into law, they make it part of the law by signing an official document 经签署使议案/法规/协议成为法律6  (all) signed and sealed  (also (all) signed, sealed, and delivered)AGREE with all the necessary legal documents signed 手续完备 It’ll all be signed and sealed by Friday, and you can move in then. 星期五之前所有手续都会办完，到时你就可以搬进来了。7  use movements 用动作 [intransitive]SIGN/GESTURE to try to tell someone something or ask them to do something by using signs and movements 示意，打手势 SYN signalsign to somebody to do something He signed to the maid to leave the room. 他示意女仆离开房间。sign for somebody to do something She signed for us to go inside. 她示意我们进去。8. language 语言 [intransitive, transitive]SLLSPEAK A LANGUAGE to use, or translate something into, sign language 用手语表达；把…译成手语 —signer noun [countable] PHRASAL VERBS9 sign something ↔ away phrasal verb GIVEto sign a document that gives your property or legal rights to someone else 签字放弃[让与] 〔财产或法定权利〕 She had signed away all claims to the house. 她已签字放弃对房子的一切权利。 I felt as if I was signing away my life. 我感觉这一签字似乎把自己的一生都放弃了。10 sign for something phrasal verb SIGN YOUR NAMEto sign a document to prove that you have received something 签收 This is a registered letter – someone will have to sign for it. 这是封挂号信，必须有人签收。11 sign in phrasal verb a) SIGN YOUR NAMEto write your name on a form, in a book etc when you enter a place such as a hotel, office, or club 签到 Remember to sign in at reception. 别忘了在接待处签到。b) sign somebody ↔ inDLSIGN YOUR NAME to write someone else’s name in a book so that they are allowed to enter a club, an office etc 为〔某人〕登记〔使其得以进入俱乐部、办公室等〕12 sign off phrasal verb a) informalAMTGOODBYE to end a radio or television programme by saying goodbye 〔说再见〕结束广播[电视节目]b) SIGN YOUR NAMEto write your final message at the end of an informal letter 〔写非正式信件时〕收笔 It’s getting late, so I’ll sign off now. Love, John. 时间不早了，就此笔。 爱你的 约翰。c) sign somebody off British English if a doctor signs someone off, he or she gives them a note saying that they are ill and not able to work 〔医生〕给某人开病假条 For the last month, she has been signed off sick from work. 上个月她请了一个月病假，没有上班。d) sign something ↔ off British English, sign off on something American English to show that you approve of a plan or that something is finished by signing an official document 签字认可某事；签字确认某事结束 Major repainting work now needs to be signed off by a qualified engineer. 现在大的翻漆工程需要一名有资质的工程师签字验收。13 sign on phrasal verb a) British EnglishPEW to state officially that you are unemployed by signing a form, so that you can get money from the government 登记失业〔以领取政府的救济金〕b) PMSIGN YOUR NAMEto sign a document to show that you agree to work for someone 签约受雇 as He signed on as a soldier in the US army. 他签约成为美国陆军的一名士兵。 with I’ll probably have to sign on with a nursing agency. 我也许得和护理介绍所签个约。14 sign out phrasal verb a) DLTSIGN YOUR NAMEto write your name in a book when you leave a place such as a hotel, an office, or a club 〔离开酒店、办公室、俱乐部等时〕签名登记离开，签退b) sign something ↔ outBORROWSIGN YOUR NAME to write your name on a form or in a book to show that you have taken or borrowed something 登记拿走[借用]某物 Bernstein signed out a company car. 伯恩斯坦登记借用了公司的一辆汽车。c) sign somebody ↔ out to write in a book that someone is allowed to leave somewhere such as a school, an office etc 替某人签退 离开学校、办公室等处〕 Parents must sign pupils out when collecting them for doctor’s or dentist’s appointments. 家长必须为学生签退才能领走他们去看医生或牙医。15 sign something ↔ over phrasal verb GIVEto sign an official document that gives your property or legal rights to someone else 签字转让〔财产、权利等〕 to When he became ill, he signed his property in France over to his son. 他生病后便签字把他在法国的房产给了儿子。16 sign up phrasal verb a) SEto put your name on a list for something because you want to take part in it 报名 for I’m thinking of signing up for a yoga course. 我在考虑报名参加一门瑜伽课。sign up to do something Over half the people who signed up to do engineering were women. 报名读工程学的人半数以上为女性。b) WORK FOR somebody sign somebody ↔ up if someone is signed up by an organization, they sign a contract in which they agree to work for that organization 使某人签约受雇，签约雇用某人 Several well-known researchers have been signed up for the project. 有几位著名的研究人员已经签约参加这个项目。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

sign• The negotiations, on rescheduling debts payable between mid-1991 and mid-1993, made some progress but no agreements were signed.• Did the doctor ask you to sign a consent form Mrs Harris?• Almost 200,000 Czechs signed a petition protesting at Mr Hodac's appointment, and each night thousands gather outside the studios.• Also, the Cowboys have some significant free agents to sign after this season.• Simmons was signed as a free agent in 1994.• On 15 May 1679 the marriage contract was signed at Lisbon.• The governor's speech will be signed by an interpreter for the hearing-impaired.• Could you sign for this package, please?• Clinton has refused to sign GOP-backed legislation to reimburse the fired travel office personnel for their legal expenses.• Just sign here by the X.• Sign here please.• This was the first sanction imposed by the Commission since the Euratom treaty had been signed in 1957.• Where do you want me to sign my name?• Would you like to sign our guest book?• You forgot to sign the credit card slip.• Each tenant will have to sign the lease.• The following year, Bark Psychosis signed to Virgin and finally began to fulfil the promise of their live shows.• They also sign veteran Charlie Hayes.signs ... autograph• Minnie greets guests, signs autographs and poses for photos by her house.sign for/to/with• Twenty years ago, it was scandalous when a baseball pitcher named Wayne Garland signed for $ 200,000 a year.• He made frantic signs to Angalo.• He stirred as below stairs the maid tinkled a bell, the sign for dinner.• So what we need is a similar system of signs for human beings.• The venue was a storefront with no sign to identify it.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• They signed with Virgin early in 1982.sign for somebody to do something• Once the men had spoken to the chief, he made a sign for Isaac to address him.• They looked furious when they saw our faces peering in and made frantic signs for us to close the curtains again.• They talked to each other again, and then the first horse made clear signs for me to follow him.• Several leases have been signed for more stores to open in 1997 and 1998, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo locations.• He tugged his ear lobe, our agreed sign for the other to remain silent.From Longman Business Dictionarysignsign1 /saɪn/ verb1[intransitive, transitive]BANKING to write your SIGNATURE on a letter, document, or CHEQUEThe customer must sign the traveller’s cheque in front of the cashier.2sign an agreement/contractCOMMERCE to show formally that you agree to do something, by signing a legal documentIn September, the company signed a contract to produce two million doses of the vaccine.3signed and sealed/signed, sealed, and delivered with all the necessary legal documents agreed and signedThe agreement is not signed and sealed yet. → sign on→ See Verb tablesignsign2 noun [countable]1a piece of paper, metal etc in a public place, with words or drawings on it that give people information, warn them not to do something etca no smoking sign2a picture, shape etc that has a particular meaningFor some reason the computer can’t display the dollar sign.Origin sign1 (1200-1300) Old French signe, from Latin signum “mark, sign, image, seal” sign2 (1300-1400) Old French signer, from Latin signare, from signum; → SIGN1

sign1 noun →COLLOCATIONS1 →THESAURUS1sign2 verb →PHRASAL VERBS1LDOCE OnlineChinese  

of piece Corpus Business a metal, paper, or

sign

I

sign¹ S3 W2 /saɪn/ noun1.  GIVES INFORMATION  [countable] a piece of paper, metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives people information, warnings, or instructions:
    a sign on the door
    road signs
    a no smoking sign
    Don’t ignore the fog warning signs.
2.  SHOWS SOMETHING IS TRUE  [countable] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists
   SYN  indication
    sign of
    A red morning sky is a sign of an impending storm.
    Crying is seen as a sign of weakness.
    A paw print in the dust was a sign that a tiger was close.
    There are signs that the situation is improving.
    There were no signs of forced entry into the house.
3.  MOVEMENT OR SOUND  [countable] a movement, sound etc that you make in order to tell someone something:
    the thumbs-up sign (=a sign that you make with your hand to show that something is successful)
    give/make a sign
    Wait until I give the sign.
    sign that
    Bruce made a sign that he was ready to leave.
    sign (for somebody) to do something
    Three short blasts on the whistle was the sign to begin.
4.  SYMBOL  [countable] a mark or shape that has a particular meaning
   SYN  symbol:
    the dollar sign
    a minus sign
5.  STAR SIGN  [countable] (also star sign) a group of stars, representing one of 12 parts of the year, that some people believe influences your behaviour and your life:
    What sign are you?
6.  LANGUAGE  [uncountable] a language that uses hand movements instead of spoken words, used by people who cannot hear
   SYN  sign language
7. there is no sign of somebody/something used to say that someone or something is not in a place or cannot be found:
    I waited for two hours but there was still no sign of her.
8. sign of life
  a. a movement that shows that someone is alive, or something that shows that there are people in a particular place:
    She listened intently for signs of life.
  b. something that shows that a situation is becoming more active:
    Commercial property markets are now showing definite signs of life.
9. sign of the times something that shows how people live now:
    It’s just a sign of the times that many children have mobile phones.
10. the sign of the Cross the hand movement that some Christians make in the shape of a cross, to show respect for God or to protect themselves from evil
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + sign
   ▪ a clear/obvious/unmistakable sign There are clear signs of a slowdown in economic growth.
   ▪ a sure sign (=a very clear sign) He was walking up and down, a sure sign that he was worried.
   ▪ a good/positive/encouraging/hopeful sign If she can move her legs, that’s a good sign.
   ▪ a bad/ominous sign The jury was taking ages to make up its mind, which he felt was probably a bad sign.
   ▪ an outward/visible sign (=one that people can see clearly) Kim received the news without showing any visible sign of emotion.
   ▪ a warning sign (=one that shows something bad might be happening) In this case, social workers missed the warning signs and failed to protect the children.
   ▪ a telltale/tell-tale sign (=signs that clearly show something bad) She would not look at me directly, a tell-tale sign that she was embarrassed.
   ▪ the first sign of something (=the first thing that shows something is happening, or something exists) They ran off at the first sign of trouble.
   ▪ an early sign (=a sign near the beginning of something that shows that it is happening, or that it exists) an early sign of spring
■ verbs
   ▪ there are signs There are now signs of an improvement in the economy.
   ▪ have signs It had all the signs of a crime of passion.
   ▪ show signs of something Did she show any signs of distress?
   ▪ bear signs of something (=have signs) The bed was neatly made and bore no signs of having been slept in.
   ▪ see/detect signs of something I could see some signs of improvement in her health.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ sign [countable] an event, fact etc that shows that something is happening or that something is true or exists: The curtains were still drawn and there was no sign of activity. | A score of 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well.
   ▪ indication [countable] a sign. Indication is more formal than sign: Recently there have been several indications of improving relations. | There was no indication the killings were related to the drug trade.
   ▪ evidence [uncountable] facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true, especially something that you are trying to prove: Scientists are hoping to find evidence that there was once life on Mars. | There was not enough evidence to convict him of the murder.
   ▪ symptom [countable] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem exists: The first symptoms are tiredness and loss of weight. | Is this a symptom of the decay of Western civilization?
   ▪ indicator [countable] a sign that shows you what is happening or what is true – used about a process, or about the state or level of something: There are a number of indicators of economic slowdown. | The tests are considered a good indicator of intelligence.
   ▪ signal [countable] a sign that shows that you should do something, or that you have a particular attitude: Severe chest pain is a warning signal that cannot be ignored. | Legalizing drugs could send the wrong signal to young people.
   ▪ mark [countable] a sign, especially that you respect or honour someone: People stood in silence as a mark of respect. | It was a mark of her popularity that so many colleagues and friends attended the presentation.

II

sign² S2 W2 verb1.  NAME  [intransitive and transitive] to write your signature on something to show that you wrote it, agree with it, or were present:
    Sign here, please.
    The artist had signed his name in the corner of the painting.
    You forgot to sign the cheque.
    Over a hundred people have signed the petition.
    Serena signs her autograph every time she’s asked.
    a signed photo of Paul McCartney
2. sign an agreement/contract/treaty etc to make a document, agreement etc official and legal by writing your signature on it:
    France has just signed a new trade deal with Japan.
3.  MUSIC/SPORT  [intransitive and transitive] if a football team or music company signs someone, or if someone signs for them, that person signs a contract in which they agree to work for them:
    CBS Records had signed her back in 1988 on a three-album contract.
    sign for/to/with
    Miller worked in the shipyards before signing for Rangers.
    Before long, they had signed with Virgin.
4. sign on the dotted line informal to officially agree to something by signing a contract:
    Make sure the repairs are done before you sign on the dotted line.
5. sign a bill/legislation/agreement into law if someone in authority signs something into law, they make it part of the law by signing an official document
6. (all) signed and sealed (also (all) signed, sealed, and delivered) with all the necessary legal documents signed:
    It’ll all be signed and sealed by Friday, and you can move in then.
7.  USE MOVEMENTS  [intransitive] to try to tell someone something or ask them to do something by using signs and movements
   SYN  signal
    sign to somebody to do something
    He signed to the maid to leave the room.
    sign for somebody to do something
    She signed for us to go inside.
8.  LANGUAGE  [intransitive and transitive] to use, or translate something into, sign language
—signer noun [countable]
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ write to use a pen or pencil to make words, letters etc: Have you written a shopping list? | The children are learning to read and write.
   ▪ write something down to write something on paper, in order to remember it or make a record: He wrote down everything she said.
   ▪ put to write something in a particular place, or to write particular words: I’ve put the dates of the meetings in my diary. | At the end of the email she put ‘PS I love you’.
   ▪ put something in writing to write something that you have agreed or promised, so that there is an official record: They said they would pay me 50%, but they haven’t actually put it in writing.
   ▪ make a note of something to write information that you might need later: I’ll just make a note of your address. | Make a note in your diary.
   ▪ take notes to write things while someone is speaking or while something is happening, so that you can use them later: His lawyer was with him taking notes.
   ▪ scrawl /skrɔːl $ skrɒːl/ to write something carelessly and untidily, especially in big letters – often used to show disapproval: Someone had scrawled graffiti on the school wall. | He’d scrawled a few unhelpful comments at the bottom of my work.
   ▪ fill something in/out to write information on a form or other official document: Please fill in the application form in black ink. | Would you mind filling out a questionnaire?
   ▪ sign to write your name at the end of a letter, document etc: Read the contract carefully, and then sign it. | Don’t forget to sign your name.
     
sign something ↔ away phrasal verb
  to sign a document that gives your property or legal rights to someone else:
    She had signed away all claims to the house.
    I felt as if I was signing away my life.
sign for something phrasal verb
  to sign a document to prove that you have received something:
    This is a registered letter – someone will have to sign for it.
sign in phrasal verb
  1. to write your name on a form, in a book etc when you enter a place such as a hotel, office, or club:
    Remember to sign in at reception.
  2. sign somebody ↔ in to write someone else’s name in a book so that they are allowed to enter a club, an office etc
sign off phrasal verb
  1. informal to end a radio or television programme by saying goodbye
  2. to write your final message at the end of an informal letter:
    It’s getting late, so I’ll sign off now. Love, John.
  3. sign somebody off British English if a doctor signs someone off, he or she gives them a note saying that they are ill and not able to work:
    For the last month, she has been signed off sick from work.
  4. sign something ↔ off British English, sign off on something American English to show that you approve of a plan or that something is finished by signing an official document:
    Major repainting work now needs to be signed off by a qualified engineer.
sign on phrasal verb
  1. British English to state officially that you are unemployed by signing a form, so that you can get money from the government
  2. to sign a document to show that you agree to work for someone
    sign on as
    He signed on as a soldier in the US army.
    sign on with
    I’ll probably have to sign on with a nursing agency.
sign out phrasal verb
  1. to write your name in a book when you leave a place such as a hotel, an office, or a club
  2. sign something ↔ out to write your name on a form or in a book to show that you have taken or borrowed something:
    Bernstein signed out a company car.
  3. sign somebody ↔ out to write in a book that someone is allowed to leave somewhere such as a school, an office etc:
    Parents must sign pupils out when collecting them for doctor’s or dentist’s appointments.
sign something ↔ over phrasal verb
  to sign an official document that gives your property or legal rights to someone else
    sign something ↔ over to
    When he became ill, he signed his property in France over to his son.
sign up phrasal verb
  1. to put your name on a list for something because you want to take part in it
    sign up for
    I’m thinking of signing up for a yoga course.
    sign up to do something
    Over half the people who signed up to do engineering were women.
  2. sign somebody ↔ up if someone is signed up by an organization, they sign a contract in which they agree to work for that organization:
    Several well-known researchers have been signed up for the project.

III

ˈstar sign (also sign) noun [countable]
one of the 12 signs of the zodiac (=the system that uses people’s birth dates to say what will happen to them in the future)