barber's sign
A standing pole and two wash-balls, historically used outside barber's shops.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.