sign
sign
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sign" is /saɪn/.
Syllable 1:
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (like the 's' in 'sun')
/aɪ/ - diphthong, a combination of the 'a' in 'father' and the 'i' in 'machine' (like the 'igh' in 'high')
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal (like the 'n' in 'nose')
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: sign
Plural: signs
Verb:
Base form: sign
Third-person singular present: signs
Present participle: signing
Past tense: signed
Past participle: signed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A visible mark, symbol, or object used to convey information, give a warning, or indicate a presence.
Synonyms: indicator, marker, emblem, signal, symbol, token, warning, notice
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "absence of information" or "lack of indication" are too broad)
An action or gesture used to communicate a message or intention, often without words.
Synonyms: gesture, signal, motion, wave, nod, indication
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "verbal communication" or "silence")
An event, an object, or a circumstance that suggests a future outcome or the presence of something hidden.
Synonyms: omen, portent, forewarning, indicator, evidence, proof, trace
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "coincidence" or "random occurrence" depending on context)
A distinctive mark or name, especially one indicating ownership or origin.
Synonyms: signature, mark, seal, brand, label
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
To write one's name or another identifying mark on a document or object to indicate approval, agreement, or responsibility.
Synonyms: endorse, authorize, ratify, countersign, append, subscribe
Antonyms: disavow, reject, invalidate, revoke
To use gestures or motions to communicate, especially with a specific meaning.
Synonyms: gesticulate, gesture, signal, motion, indicate
Antonyms: speak, verbalize, articulate
To engage a person for employment or participation by formal agreement.
Synonyms: hire, recruit, contract, enlist, engage
Antonyms: fire, dismiss, release, terminate
To indicate or show something; to be evidence of.
Synonyms: signify, denote, attest, betoken, suggest, demonstrate
Antonyms: conceal, obscure, hide, disprove
Examples of Use
Books:
"When the first sign of dawn appeared in the east, the travelers packed their meager belongings and set out." (From The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien)
"He took the refusal as a good sign, knowing her initial resistance often masked a deeper interest." (From Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)
Newspapers:
"The latest economic indicators sign a potential recovery, though analysts caution against premature optimism." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"Residents gathered to protest the lack of a crosswalk sign at the dangerous intersection, citing numerous near-accidents." (The Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Experts sign off on new climate change report, urging immediate global action." (BBC News online)
"The company's innovative approach is a sign of its commitment to sustainable practices."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Parasite, the "scholar's rock" serves as a symbolic sign of good fortune and prosperity for the Kim family.
Television Series: "The detective found a cryptic sign left by the culprit at the crime scene, leading them down a new path of investigation." (From an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation)
Music: "It's a sign of the times, baby, everything is changing." (Lyrics from the song "Sign of the Times" by Harry Styles)
Video Games: Players often look for environmental signs or markers to indicate hidden pathways or important objectives in open-world games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Podcasts: "The host discussed how public protests are a sign of growing dissatisfaction with current policies." (From The Daily podcast by The New York Times)
General Public Discourse:
"Did you see the 'For Sale' sign on the old house down the street? I wonder who's buying it."
"I tried to get his attention, but he didn't even sign back to me."
"The doctor said the fever was a sign that my body was fighting off the infection."
"They made me sign a non-disclosure agreement before I could start the job."
"This warm weather in December is a worrying sign of climate change."
10 Quotes Using Sign
"The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means." (Georges Bernanos)
"The sign of a truly intelligent person is not knowledge but imagination." (Albert Einstein)
"No sign of the fish. But the hook was still there." (Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea)
"That is the true sign of intelligence: not knowledge but imagination." (Albert Einstein)
"A good sign is a good sign. A bad sign is a bad sign." (Confucius)
"The first sign of spring in New York is the faint smell of pizza wafting through the air." (Jerry Seinfeld)
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. That's the sign of a man." (Winston Churchill)
"When you see a good man, try to emulate his example, and when you see a bad man, search your heart for his failings. That is a sign of a good person." (Confucius)
"The sign of a great leader is not the number of followers, but the number of leaders he creates." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"The sign of a powerful mind is its ability to remain calm amidst chaos." (Sun Tzu)
Etymology
The word "sign" has a rich history, tracing its roots back to ancient times. It primarily comes from the Latin word "signum," which had a broad range of meanings. Think of "signum" as meaning a "mark," "token," "indication," or "symbol." It could refer to:
Identifying marks: Like a brand on an animal or a seal on a document.
Military standards: The flags or emblems carried by Roman legions.
Signals or omens: Something that points to a future event or a hidden meaning.
Signs in the heavens: Like constellations.
From Latin, the word made its way into Old French as "signe" and Old English as "seġn," carrying similar meanings of a "mark" or "token."
The earliest known uses of "sign" in English (around the early 13th century) reflect these origins. It first appeared meaning:
A gesture or motion of the hand used to express a thought or convey an idea, similar to how we use hand gestures to communicate today.
Soon after, it also came to mean an indication of a future event, like a "sign" of rain or a "sign" of good fortune.
By the late 13th century, it expanded to include the meaning of a visible mark or device that has a special meaning, which is how we get "stop signs" or "shop signs."
So, in essence, "sign" has always been about conveying information or pointing to something, whether it's through a physical mark, a gesture, or an indicator of what's to come.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sign
Sign of the times: Something that indicates the nature or character of the current era.
Sign on the dotted line: To formally agree to something by signing a document.
Sign off on something: To give official approval for something.
Sign up for something: To register or enroll for an activity or service.
Sign over (something to someone): To transfer ownership or rights to someone else by signing a document.
Sign in/out: To record one's arrival or departure, usually at a workplace or building.
Sign a peace treaty: To formally agree to end a conflict between parties.
Give a sign: To make a gesture or indication.
Show no sign of: To not exhibit any indication of something.
A good sign: An indication of a positive outcome.
A bad sign: An indication of a negative outcome.
By sign or by word: By any means of communication.
Cross one's heart and hope to die (a sign of sincerity): A strong promise or oath.
Seal of approval (a sign of acceptance): Official sanction or endorsement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sign from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
