signature

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Your own name written by hand in your usual style, put on a document to show that you agree to it or that it is really yours.

   Grammar: Countable: I need three signatures on this form.

   Patterns

   • a signature on something
   • sign with your signature

   The contract is not valid without your signature.

   Her signature was so messy that nobody could read it.

   The petition collected over ten thousand signatures.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Strongly and distinctively associated with one particular person, brand, or place, and often the thing they are best known for.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a signature dish, not a dish that is signature.

   Patterns

   • a signature style
   • someone's signature move

   Roast lamb with mint is the chef's signature dish.

   The guitarist's signature sound made the song instantly recognizable.

   Her signature scarf became part of her look.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   A distinctive pattern or set of characteristics by which something can be identified.

   Grammar: Countable and often technical: each virus has its own signature.

   Patterns

   • the signature of something

   Antivirus software compares files with the signature of known malware.

   Scientists found the chemical signature of water on the distant planet.

   Every violin maker leaves a signature in the way the scroll is carved.

Word forms

Common combinations

forge a signature

He was accused of trying to forge his father's signature.

a digital signature

You can approve the form with a digital signature.

require a signature

The parcel will require a signature on delivery.

collect signatures

Volunteers went door to door to collect signatures for the campaign.

signature dish

Her signature dish is a spicy tomato soup.

Synonyms and how they differ

autograph

An autograph is a famous person's signature given to a fan or collector, not one used to approve a document.

initials

Initials are only the first letters of your names and are a shorter, less formal mark than a full signature.

trademark

Trademark, used figuratively, stresses a feature that always marks someone's work, as signature does, but it often sounds more commercial.

Word family

sign verb

to write your name on something

signatory noun

a person or country that has signed an agreement

signer noun

someone who signs a document

countersign verb

to add a second signature to confirm a document

Commonly confused: signature or autograph?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “signature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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