ENGLISH
REFERENCE

signature

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsɪɡnətʃɝ// UK //sˈɪɡnɪtʃɐ// sig·na·ture Archaic General-service

n. your name written in your own special way. You use it to sign documents or letters to prove who you are.

n. a person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification or authorisation. Often used metaphorically to describe a unique characteristic or style associated with a specific person or thing.


SIMPLE

Please put your signature at the bottom of the page.

CONTEXTUAL

The bank teller asked for a second form of identification because the signature on the check did not match the one on file.

COMPLEX

The architect's signature style is evident in the building's sweeping glass curves and its seamless integration with the surrounding natural landscape.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French signature, or from Medieval Latin signātūra, future active periphrastic of verb signāre from signum (“sign”), + -tūra, feminine of -tūrus, future active periphrastic suffix. Displaced native Old English handseten (literally “hand setting”).

Usage

Commonly used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'signature dish' or 'signature move', to indicate a unique or identifying trait.

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