signal
sig·nal/ˈsɪɡnəl/noun, verb, adjective
signal is spelled S-I-G-N-A-L: 6 letters and 2 syllables (sig·nal). It appears 42 times per million words in written English, the 2,392nd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, signal means “A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of signal is signals.
How many letters and syllables are in signal?
| Letters | 6: S-I-G-N-A-L |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: sig·nal |
| In writing | 42 times per million words; the 2,392nd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Same letters |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is signal?
Signal appears 42 times per million words in written English, the 2,392nd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce signal?
- /ˈsɪɡnəl/
Signal has 2 syllables, split sig·nal in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-signal.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with signal
Also written: signaling.
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
What rhymes with signal?
No other word on PlainSpell ends in the same sounds as signal.
Spelled with the same letters in another order: lasing.
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of signal
- signals plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- signall
- signaling US, participle, present
- signalling UK, participle, present
- signaled US, participle, past
- signalled UK, participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does signal mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.
- 2
Any variation of a quantity or change in an entity over time that conveys information upon detection.
- 3
A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.
- 4
An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.
- 5
A railway signal.
- 6
An electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time, that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party.
My mobile phone can't get a signal in the railway station.
- 7
An action, change or process done to convey information and thus reduce uncertainty.
- 8
A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
verb
- 1
To indicate; to convey or communicate by a signal.
I signalled my acquiescence with a nod.
- 2
To communicate with (a person or system) by a signal.
Seeing the flames, he ran to the control room and signalled headquarters.
adjective
- 1
Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement.
a signal exploit; a signal success; a signal act of benevolence
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you abbreviate signal?
Wiktionary records one abbreviation of signal: MSM.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Signal in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | signal , signaler |
| German | Signal , signalisieren |
| Portuguese | sinal , rede |
| Spanish | señal , señalizar |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does signal come from?
From Old French segnal, seignal or Medieval Latin signāle; noun use of the neuter of Late Latin signālis, from Latin signum; verb use from 1805, as a shortened from signalize (1650s). Doublet of signum and sign.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).