# sign

> English word · Noun · IPA /saɪn/ · frequency rank #885

## Definitions
1. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
2. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
3. A visible fact that shows that something exists or may happen.
4. A mark or another symbol used to represent something.
5. Physical evidence left by an animal.
6. A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
7. A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
8. An astrological sign.
9. Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
10. A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
11. Sign language in general.
12. A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); (linguistics, semiotics) a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. (See sign (semiotics).)
13. A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.

## Etymology
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. Partially displaced native token.

## Easily confused with
- **six** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-six)
- **son** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-son)
- **sir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sir)
- **sun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sun)
- **sit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sit)
- **sin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sin)
- **SIM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sim)
- **sip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sip)
- **sis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sis)
- **syn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-syn)
- **sil** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sil)
- **Siu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-siu)
- **SSN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-ssn)
- **sik** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sik)
- **SVG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-svg)
- **soon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-soon)
- **site** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-site)
- **size** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-size)
- **skin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-skin)
- **sing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sign-vs-sing)

## Common misspellings (5)
`isgn`, `sgin`, `siggn`, `signn`, `ssign`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sign