Added 9 October 2026
sign
/saɪn/ noun
In Latin: signum Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about sign at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
-
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
-
A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
verb
-
To make a mark To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
-
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
- To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Origin
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 and signal. Partially displaced native token.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)