Word
signatory
Phoneticssig·na·to·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɪɡnəˌtɔɹi/
UK/sˈɪɡnətəɹˌi/
Definitions
01a person or country that signs
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a person, company, or country that has signed an official document or agreement.
n. a person or entity that is a party to a formal agreement, treaty, or contract by virtue of having signed it.
“Both countries were signatories to the peace treaty signed last year.”
“As a primary signatory to the international climate accord, the nation committed to reducing its carbon emissions by forty percent over the next decade.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
Teaching tip
This word is almost exclusively used in legal, political, or highly formal business contexts; for everyday situations, 'the person who signed' is preferred.
Synonyms
02having signed
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
adj. describing a person or group that has signed an agreement.
adj. having signed or joined in a signature; often used to describe the status of a nation or body in relation to a treaty.
“The signatory powers met in Geneva to discuss the new trade rules.”
“The signatory nations were required to ratify the agreement within their own domestic legislatures before the end of the fiscal year.”
Usage
Typically used before a noun like 'nations', 'powers', or 'parties'.
Teaching tip
In modern English, the noun form is much more common than the adjective form.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“More than £90,000 has now been raised for Arday's family, after Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, who is also among the signatories to the petition, launched a fundraiser.” “Türkiye became a signatory in 1990 and ratified the convention in 1994.” Etymology
From Latin signatorius.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/signatory