an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that something exists, is happening or may happen in the future
Looking back, I should have seen the signs.
a clear/visible sign
an encouraging sign
a positive sign
The fact that he didn't say ‘no’ immediately is a good sign.
If I had noticed the warning signs, none of this would have happened.
Early signs point to business improving.
sign of somebody/something This move will be seen as a sign of weakness.
Bankers say they can definitely detect signs of a recovery.
Headaches may be a sign of stress.
There is no sign of John anywhere.
Soldiers swarmed the city looking for any sign of her.
There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there).
Her work is showing some signs of improvement.
I hope this incident isn't a sign of things to come.
Get this test if you have signs and symptoms of diabetes.
He is reading the signs all wrong.
at a sign of something Call the police at the first sign of trouble.
sign of doing something The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving.
sign of somebody/something doing something There is little sign of this happening in the immediate future.
sign (that)… If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job.
There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.
a piece of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warning, etc.
to put up/post a sign
to carry/hold a sign
a street/stop sign
a shop/pub sign
a traffic sign
The sign read ‘No Fishing’.
The sign on the wall said ‘Now wash your hands’.
There was a 'Closed' sign in the window.
Follow the signs for the city centre.
a movement or sound that you make to tell somebody something
He gave a thumbs-up sign (= to show approval/agreement).
sign from somebody She was waiting for some kind of sign from him.
At a sign from her, the band would start to play.
as a sign of something He gave a slight bow as a sign of respect.
sign to do something She shook her head in a desperate sign to tell the child to remain silent.
sign for somebody to do something She nodded as a sign for us to sit down.
Three blasts on the whistle was the sign for visitors to leave.
to make the sign of the cross (= an act of moving one hand in the shape of a cross, done by Christians to show respect for God or by a priest to bless somebody/something)
a mark used to represent something, especially in mathematics
a plus/minus sign (= +/−)
a dollar/pound sign (= $/£)
sign for something the sign for ‘square root’
a star sign (= one of the twelve signs of the zodiac)
What sign are you?
something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are
The increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times.
to write your name on a document, letter, etc. to show that you have written it, that you agree with what it says, or that it is real
Sign here, please.
sign something to sign an agreement/a deal/a contract
to sign a document/statement/declaration/form
to sign a petition/a bill/ an order
to sign a cheque
Sign your name here, please.
You haven't signed the letter.
The treaty was signed on 24 March.
The player was signing autographs for a group of fans.
I'm going to his office now to sign the papers.
The bill was signed into law by the president yesterday.
sign yourself + noun He signed himself ‘Jimmy’.
to arrange for somebody, for example a sports player or musician, to sign a contract agreeing to work for your company; to sign a contract agreeing to work for a company
sign somebody United have just signed a new goalie.
to sign a player
sign for something He signed for United yesterday.
sign with something The band signed with Virgin Records.
sign (somebody) to something She was the first musician signed to the new record label.
to make a request or tell somebody to do something by using a sign, especially a hand movement
sign to somebody (to do something) The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case.
sign for somebody to do something The police officer signed for us to stop.
sign that… The police officer signed that we were to stop.
signsomebody to do something He signed his troops to move out.
to use sign language to communicate with somebody
She learnt to sign to help her deaf child.
sign something An increasing number of plays are now being signed.
definite, because all the legal documents have been signed
to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy something or do something
Just sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.
to make a promise never to drink alcohol
