sign

panneau, enseigne

Panneau ou autre objet visible portant des mots ou des images pour informer ou donner des instructions.

En anglais simple : A board or other visible object with words or pictures that gives information or instructions.

• Read the sign on the door.
• We followed the signs to the station.
• Someone has put up a new warning sign.

Synonymes : notice, board

Expressions courantes : road sign, stop sign, warning sign

signe, indice

Ce qui laisse penser qu’une chose existe, est vraie ou pourrait arriver.

En anglais simple : Something you notice that suggests another thing exists, is true, or may happen.

• A smile is a good sign.
• The patient showed signs of recovery.
• Is this a sign that prices will fall?

Comment l'utiliser : a sign of something (Dark clouds can be a sign of rain.); a sign that… (Her smile was a sign that she felt better.)

Synonymes : indication, signal

Expressions courantes : sign of something, good sign, early sign, clear sign

présage, signe

Événement ou objet censé annoncer quelque chose de bon ou de mauvais à venir.

En anglais simple : An event or object believed to predict something good or bad in the future.

• She took the dream as a sign.
• They believed the bird was a sign of good luck.
• Was the sudden storm a sign from heaven?

Comment l'utiliser : a sign of something (They believed the comet was a sign of disaster.)

Synonymes : omen, portent

Expressions courantes : a bad sign, sign from heaven, read the sign

signer

Écrire son nom sur un document pour l’approuver ou montrer qu’on en est l’auteur.

En anglais simple : To write your name on a document to show that you agree with it or wrote it.

• Please sign this form.
• They signed the agreement yesterday.
• Have you signed your name at the bottom?

Expressions courantes : sign a contract, sign your name, sign a form

engager, recruter

Engager quelqu’un pour travailler ou jouer dans une équipe en lui faisant signer un contrat.

En anglais simple : To employ someone by agreeing on a contract with them.

• The club wants to sign him.
• The label signed two young singers.
• They signed her to a new contract.

Comment l'utiliser : sign someone to something (The company signed her to a three-year contract.)

Synonymes : hire, recruit

Expressions courantes : sign someone, sign a player, sign a singer, sign a musician

faire signe, communiquer par signes

Communiquer avec quelqu’un par des mouvements des mains ou d’autres gestes.

En anglais simple : To communicate with someone by moving your hands or making other gestures.

• She signed to him to stop.
• They signed across the crowded room.
• Can you sign that message to her?

Comment l'utiliser : sign to someone (She signed to him to wait outside.); sign that… (He signed that he needed help.)

Synonymes : gesture, signal

Expressions courantes : sign to someone, sign a message, sign in silence