Meaning & use
e-signature
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Meanings
nouncountable
A person's name or other identifying mark made electronically, often at the end of a digital document.
Grammar: Countable: you can add an e-signature to a file, or collect several e-signatures on one form.
Patterns
- put an e-signature on something
- add an e-signature to something
- collect e-signatures from someone
Please put your e-signature at the bottom of the rental agreement.
The contract is not valid until both sides have added an e-signature.
She typed her name as an e-signature because she had no scanner.
nouncountabletechnicalcomputing
A way of signing digital files that uses encryption to prove who signed and that the file has not changed.
Grammar: Technical use; often appears in phrases like 'digital signature' or 'secure e-signature'.
Patterns
- a secure e-signature
- verify an e-signature
- an e-signature proves something
Banks often require a secure e-signature before releasing funds.
The software checks the e-signature to make sure nobody edited the file.
Without a valid e-signature, the court will not accept the electronic record.
Word forms
| plural | e-signatures |
|---|
Common combinations
- add an e-signature
- You can add an e-signature with your finger on a touchscreen.
- electronic signature
- Many countries treat an electronic signature and an e-signature as the same thing.
- e-signature software
- Our office uses e-signature software to handle client contracts.
- collect e-signatures
- The petition website will collect e-signatures until Friday.
- a valid e-signature
- A valid e-signature must show the signer's intent to agree.
Synonyms and how they differ
- digital signature
- More technical; it usually means a coded signature that also proves the file was not altered, while an e-signature can be any electronic mark.
- electronic signature
- The full, formal wording; it fits legal writing better, whereas e-signature is the shorter everyday term.
- autograph
- Only a handwritten personal signature, so it does not fit documents signed on a screen.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: e-signature or signature? e-signature or e-sign?
e-signature vs signature
A signature is usually written by hand, while an e-signature is created and stored electronically.
e-signature vs e-sign
E-sign is the verb or the short noun for the act; e-signature is the mark itself.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'e-signature' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Add an e-signature' is the natural verb-and-noun pattern for a digital mark. Option 1 and 4 describe handwriting with a pen or ink, which is a normal signature, not an e-signature. Option 2 wrongly uses e-signature as a verb; the verb form is 'e-sign'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “e-signature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.