# digital signature

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/digital-signature
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

a secure electronic way to prove that a document or message is real and has not been changed. It works like a handwritten signature but uses computer code to keep things safe.

For teachers: a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity and integrity of a digital message or document. It provides a high level of assurance that the sender is who they claim to be and that the content has not been altered in transit.

## Examples

- You need a digital signature to finalize the online contract.
- The bank requires a digital signature on all electronic loan applications to prevent fraud and ensure the documents are legally binding.
- By utilizing public-key cryptography, a digital signature ensures non-repudiation, meaning the signer cannot later deny having sent the message once the verification process is complete.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I scanned my handwritten signature as a digital signature" but "I used a digital signature to sign the PDF" — A digital signature is an encrypted electronic code, not a scanned image of a physical signature (which is called an electronic signature).

## Usage notes

- Often used in the context of cybersecurity, legal contracts, and software distribution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.