sign

/saɪn/
noun 5verb 5

Collocations

68
1

(noun.) sth that shows that sth exists/may happen

ADJ

clear, definite, distinct, obvious, real, sure, telltale, unmistakable

external, outward, visible

There were visible signs of damage to the old building after the storm.

tangible

early, first

The first signs of flu usually include a fever and sore throat.

increasing

encouraging, good, healthy, hopeful, positive, welcome

When she smiled at him, it was an encouraging sign that she might forgive him.

bad, disturbing

danger, ominous, warning

Dark clouds gathered overhead, and we noticed several warning signs before the storm arrived.

VERB + SIGN

bear, have

Her face bore signs of exhaustion after working two night shifts in a row.

exhibit, display, give, show

The child exhibited signs of tiredness after playing outside all afternoon.

detect, find, see, watch out for

The doctor found signs of improvement in the patient's condition after two weeks of treatment.

interpret (sth as), read, recognize, see sth as

look for

We looked for signs of life in the abandoned house.

point out

SIGN + VERB

appear, come

Warning signs came up on the road after the accident happened.

indicate sth, point to sth

The dark clouds indicated that a storm was coming soon.

PREP

at a/the ~

When the dog started barking at the first sign of a stranger, we knew someone was at the door.

from ~

When my cat suddenly stopped eating, I took it as a sign from nature that something was wrong.

~ of

PHRASES

sign of life

After the earthquake, rescue workers searched the rubble desperately looking for any sign of life.

a sign of the times

More people working from home is definitely a sign of the times.

little/no/not the least/not the slightest sign (of sb/sth)

She searched everywhere for her lost cat but found not the least sign of it.

2

(noun.) board, etc. giving information/a warning

ADJ

flashing, illuminated | neon | handwritten, painted | exit | inn, pub, shop, street | direction, road, traffic | Stop | warning | For sale, No Smoking, To let

VERB + SIGN

erect, hang out/up, hold up, put up

The shop owner hung up a new sign advertising the summer sale.

see | read

follow

The tourists followed the signs to find the museum entrance.

SIGN + VERB

read sth, say sth

The warning sign said to keep out of the water during repairs.

indicate sth

The red traffic light indicates that drivers must stop at this intersection.

point

The arrow on the wall pointed toward the emergency exit during the fire drill.

advertise sth

warn

The road signs warned drivers about the sharp curve ahead.

flash

The warning sign flashed red every time a car approached the intersection.

PREP

~ for/to

Look for signs to the nearest hospital if you need medical help.

3

(noun.) movement with a particular meaning

ADJ

frantic | rude | thumbs-up, V

VERB + SIGN

give (sb), make

The traffic officer made a stop sign with her hand to warn the drivers.

communicate through

When the music was too loud, we had to communicate through signs to understand each other.

SIGN + NOUN

language, system

PREP

~ for

I couldn't find the sign for the bathroom, so I asked a staff member.

PHRASES

make the sign of the cross

Before entering the church, she made the sign of the cross and whispered a prayer.

4

(noun.) mark/symbol with a particular meaning

ADJ

euro, pound, etc. | equals, minus, plus, etc.

VERB + SIGN

draw, make

The teacher made a sign on the whiteboard to show the students where to sit.

use

She used the stop sign as a landmark to remember where to turn left.

SIGN + VERB

mean sth

When the traffic light turns red, it means you must stop your car.

PREP

~ for

My son learned the sign for "hello" in his first week of sign language class.

5

(noun.) star sign

ADJ

birth, star

VERB + SIGN

be born under

PREP

~ of

Dark clouds are a clear sign of rain coming this afternoon.

PHRASES

the signs of the Zodiac

6

(verb.)

ADV

duly

The contract was duly signed by both parties before the meeting ended.

formally

personally

The famous actor personally signed a photograph for each fan waiting outside the theater.

VERB + SIGN

be required to, have to

All employees had to sign a confidentiality agreement on their first day of work.

ask sb to, persuade sb to | agree to | refuse to

PREP

for

You'll need to sign for the package when it arrives at your door.

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