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to sign

to sign

33 5.0
To use hand movements to communicate with deaf people
  • verb
  • /saɪn/
translation icon : interpretar en lengua de señas
  • For instance, one hearing parent said, "We try to sign and use ASL with our daughter around us."
  • sign language
  • sign in ASL
  • sign in English

That's how you you can sign to me if you want to, but I'm good.

Examples

  • His eyes rest easily on her hands, and he signs back swiftly, accompanying his motions with his voice.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • For example, "father," is signed up here like this.

  • We sign at the top of the painting, while they sign at the bottom.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Sign back, "What do you mean, no?"

  • With an exhausted smile, he signs to Aloka and Amrita to get in.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • At the meeting, they communicated using gestures to sign their agreement with the proposal.

  • She learned to sign basic phrases in American Sign Language to help her friend who is deaf.

  • When he wants to convey his thoughts without speaking, he uses his hands to sign effectively.

Synonyms

to signal
vsto sign
141 3.0

To give information to someone using a gesture or sign

focuses on language-style gestures that form a structured code
to signify
vsto sign
82 3.7

To be a sign of something, often by a word, action or symbol

involves active gestural language to send messages not only indicate meaning
to mime
vsto sign
5 5.6

To show an action using gestures and no words

serves linguistic communication rather than theatrical or performative acting
to signalize
vsto sign
  • US
8.6

Send information using signals or movements like nods and waves

is specific to using language-like gestures for direct communication
to fingerspell
vsto sign
8.8

Use hand shapes to show each letter of a word in sign language

uses whole gestures and systems rather than spelling letters

Idioms

Officially agree to something by writing your name on a document

Phrasal Verbs

408 1.3

To join an activity or service by giving your name

95 3.9

To give official approval, usually by writing your name on a document

82 3.4

Agree to join an organization or start working for a company, usually by signing a contract

58 1.8

Enter your name or details to show you have arrived

37 3.8

To end a broadcast or show, usually with a final remark

23 3.2

Officially agree to a written deal between countries by putting your name on it

to sign over
  • Formal
18 4.9

Give ownership of something to another person by signing papers

11 4.8

Give up rights or property by agreeing to it in writing

to sign on
  • Specialized
3 3.5

Enter your user name and password to access a computer or online service

Compounds

54 1.6

Something that shows there may be danger or a problem

45 1.0

A road sign that tells drivers to stop completely before going

vital sign
  • Specialized
41 2.4

Measurements like heart rate or blood pressure that show how well the body is working

32 2.8

A language using hand signs and face movements to communicate, often used by people who are deaf

12 3.0

A form where people write their names to join an activity

11 1.0

A sign beside a road that shows its name, directions, or rules

10 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

7 4.6

Something that shows how people live or think now

A short Christian gesture moving the hand to trace a cross to show faith

6 2.9

A circle with three lines that people use to show a wish for no war

4 2.5

The act of giving your name and details to join something

A language of hand signs and body movements used by deaf people in the United States and parts of Canada

3 7.8

A quiet signal to warn, greet, or recognize someone

sign-off
  • Formal
3 4.2

Final approval that allows a document or project to finish

3 3.5

Relating to joining something, used before a noun

A small action that shows you love or like someone

2 3.4

One of twelve parts in astrology that shows where the sun was when you were born

1 1.3

A symbol written before a number to show dollars

minus sign
  • Specialized
1 2.1

A small horizontal line used to show subtraction or a negative number

One of twelve parts of the sky used in astrology to show personality and give horoscopes

1 3.6

A measure that shows how well a system or business is doing

1 4.5

A sign that someone cares more about money than other things

equal sign
  • Specialized
1 1.0

The symbol '=' shows two values are the same

1 3.7

A person who makes signs and billboards by hand

Indian sign
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A sign people believe shows what will happen or what to do

1 4.0

A final message or tune played when a broadcast ends

1 2.7

A gesture made by holding up the index and middle fingers in a V shape to show victory or peace

A sign by the road that shows drivers where places are

A sign with red and white stripes that shows a place where people get haircuts

Babinski sign
  • Specialized
7.9

A big toe moving upward when the sole is stroked, normal in babies but showing nerve damage in adults

multiplication sign
  • Specialized
2.5

A symbol that shows one number times another, usually ×

hard sign
  • Specialized
9.9

A Cyrillic letter that makes the consonant before it sound hard

9.9

A purplish colour of the lining of the vagina that appears in early pregnancy

Kernig's sign
  • Specialized
9.9

A sign when the knee cannot fully straighten with the thigh bent, showing a possible brain infection

radical sign
  • Specialized
5.3

A symbol √ that shows the square root of a number

Raynaud's sign
  • Specialized
9.1

Blue colour of fingers and toes when tiny blood vessels tighten from cold or stress

A symbol you put after a number to show parts out of 100

A symbol % that shows a number out of 100

plus sign
  • Specialized
1.5

A mark + used to show adding numbers or something extra

2.2

A small + symbol in apps used to add or create a new item

pound sign
  • Texting
2.7

A symbol # used to mark numbers or make tags on social media

3.3

A symbol £ used to show British money on prices

times sign
  • Specialized
2.3

A symbol × used to show multiplication between numbers

Companies that design, make, and install signs like shop or road signs

9.9

The written name of a king or queen on an official document showing personal approval

A thing that shows land is near, like birds or distant clouds

soft sign
  • Specialized
9.9

A Cyrillic letter that makes the consonant before it sound with the tongue near the roof of the mouth

How Clearly

sign language
32 2.8
to sign
33 5.0
gesture
140 2.3

Surface Forms

sign infinitive
signed past
signed past participle
signing present participle
signs third person singular

Etymology

The verb sign (to use gestures or sign language) comes from the Latin signum, meaning 'mark'. To sign is to make visible marks or movements to communicate, so the origin matches the idea of using gestures as messages.