Signature Meaning and Definition
Signature
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A distinctive mark or identity, often used to authenticate or identify someone or something.
Examples
- The artist added a signature to the painting.
- She checked the doctor’s signature on the prescription.
Synonyms
- Mark
- Seal
Antonyms
- Anonymous
- Unmarked
Etymology
The word “signature” comes from the Latin “signum”, meaning “sign” or “mark”, and has been used in English since the 15th century.
Usage Notes
Use “signature” to describe a unique mark or identity that identifies someone or something. Avoid confusion with other words, such as “sign” or “signal”, which have different meanings.
Cultural References
“Signature” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, where a character is said to have a unique “signature” style of fighting.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“In one’s own signature style” means to do something in a unique and distinct way.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words include “mark”, “seal”, and “identification”.
Collocations
Common collocations include “make your mark”, “leave your signature”, and “sign your name”.
Frequency of Use
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “signature” is used approximately 1.5 times per million words.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings include “signaturee”, “signiture”, and “signituree”.