sign和 signal区别

一、词义辨析不一样

1、sign 普通用词，指人们公认事物的记号，也可指某种情况的征兆。如：

As soon as the seat belt sign had been switched off, we rushed out. 

安全带指示灯一关掉，我们就冲了出去。

2、signal 指为某一目的而有意发出的信号。如：

The submarine signaled for help.

潜水艇发出求救的信号。

二、词义广泛性不一样

sign

英 [saɪn]  美 [saɪn] 

1、n. 迹象；符号；记号；手势；指示牌

2、v. 签署；签名

signal

英 ['sɪgn(ə)l]  美 ['sɪgnl] 

1、n. 信号；暗号；导火线

2、v. 标志；用信号通知；表示

3、adj. 显著的；作为信号的

三、变形词不一样

sign

第三人称单数： signs 复数： signs 现在分词： signing 过去式： signed 过去分词： signed

signal

第三人称单数： signals 复数： signals 现在分词： signalling 过去式： signalled 过去分词： signalled

一、表达意思不同

1、sign：迹象；符号；记号；手势；指示牌；签署；签名；签署；示意

2、signal：信号；暗号；导火线；标志；用信号通知；表示；显著的；作为信号的；发信号

二、词性不同

1、sign：在句中既可以作名词也可以作动词。

2、signal：在句中既可以作名词，也可以作动词和形容词。

三、用途不同

1、sign：通常用作数学符号、物理符号等。

2、signal：就是一种向进程传递信息的方式，可以将信号想象成大楼的管理员往房间的信箱里塞小纸条。

sign就是标记，预兆，经常是比较具体的现象，但含意很抽象，比如例句：
A high forehead is thought to be a sign of intelligence.
高额头被认为是智慧的标志。
高额头是可以用肉眼直接看到的
sign作动词是签署，例句：
sign a bill into law.
签字批准一项法案。这个跟那两个就差别很明显。

signal是信号，例句：
A red light is usually a signal of danger.
红灯通常是危险的信号。是非常具体的，而且经常是用作专业术语上的，电信号，数字信号等等。

sign就是标记，预兆，经常是比较具体的现象，但含意很抽象；signal是信号，比较具体

把下面的看懂你就知道了。
1.sign
noun, verb
noun
showing sth
[C, U] ~ (of sth)
~ (that ...) an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists, is happening or may happen in the future
Synonym: INDICATION
Headaches may be a sign of stress. ◆ There is no sign of John anywhere. ◆ Call the police at the first sign of trouble. ◆ The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving. ◆ Her work is showing some signs of improvement. ◆ The fact that he didn't say 'no' immediately is a good sign. ◆ If an interview is too easy, it's a sure sign that you haven't got the job. ◆ There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there). ◆ There were no outward signs that anything was wrong.
for information / warning
[C] a piece of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instructions, a warning, etc: a road / traffic sign ◆ a shop / pub sign ◆ The sign on the wall said 'Now wash your hands'. ◆ Follow the signs for the city centre.
movement / sound
[C] a movement or sound that you make to tell sb sth: He gave us a thumbs-up sign. ◆ She nodded as a sign for us to sit down. ◆ Three blasts on the whistle was the sign for visitors to leave. ◆ to make the sign of the cross (= an act of moving one hand in the shape of a cross, done by Christians to show respect for God or by a priest to bless sb/sth)
See also V-SIGN
symbol
[C] a mark used to represent sth, especially in mathematics: a plus / minus sign (+ / -) ◆ a pound / dollar sign (? / $)
star sign
[U] (informal) = STAR SIGN: What sign are you?
Idioms: a sign of the times something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are: The increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times.
verb
your name
to write your name on a document, letter, etc. to show that you have written it, that you agree with what it says, or that it is genuine: [V, VN] Sign here, please. ◆ Sign your name here, please. ◆ [VN] You haven't signed the letter. ◆ to sign a deal / contract / cheque ◆ The treaty was signed on 24 March. ◆ The player was signing autographs for a group of fans. ◆ [VN-N] He signed himself 'Jimmy'.
contract
to arrange for sb, for example a sports player or musician, to sign a contract agreeing to work for your company; to sign a contract agreeing to work for a company: [VN] United have just signed a new goalie. ◆ [V] He signed for United yesterday. ◆ The band signed with Virgin Records.
make movement / sound
~ (to sb) (to do sth) to make a request or tell sb to do sth by using a sign, especially a hand movement: [V to inf] The hotel manager signed to the porter to pick up my case. ◆ The police officer signed for us to stop. [also V that]
for deaf person
to use sign language to communicate with sb: [V] She learnt to sign to help her deaf child. ◆ [VN] An increasing number of plays are now being signed.
signer noun: the signers of the petition ◆ signers communicating information to deaf people
Idioms: signed and sealed
signed, sealed and delivered definite, because all the legal documents have been signed
sign on the dotted line (informal) to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy sth or do sth: Just sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.
more at PLEDGE n.
Phrasal Verbs: sign sth<->away to lose your rights or property by signing a document
sign for sth to sign a document to show that you have received sth: Someone must sign for the package when we deliver it.
sign in / out
sign sb<->in / out to write your/sb's name when you arrive at or leave an office, a club, etc: All visitors must sign in on arrival. ◆ You must sign guests out when they leave the club.
sign off
(BrE) to end a letter: She signed off with 'Yours, Janet'.
to end a broadcast by saying goodbye or playing a piece of music
sign sth<->off to give your formal approval to sth, by signing your name
sign off on sth (AmE, informal) to express your approval of sth formally and definitely: The President hasn't signed off on this report.
sign on (BrE, informal) to sign a form stating that you are an unemployed person so that you can receive payment from the government
sign on / up
sign sb<->on / up to sign a form or contract which says that you agree to do a job or become a soldier; to persuade sb to sign a form or contract like this: He signed on for five years in the army. ◆ The company has signed up three top models for the fashion show.
sign sth<->over (to sb) to give your rights or property to sb else by signing a document: She has signed the house over to her daughter.
sign up (for sth) to arrange to do a course of study by adding your name to the list of people doing it

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WHICH WORD?
sign / signal
Sign and signal can be used with very similar meanings. Both words can mean a movement or sound made to tell someone something: Don't move until I give the sign/signal.
They can also both mean something that indicates that something exists or may happen, but a sign is usually something that you can find or see, while signal is used for something that is done intentionally or that suggests you should take some action: early signs of the disease ◆ the first signs of spring ◆ danger/warning signals ◆ Local people regarded the President's visit as a clear signal of his support.
With other meanings, only one of these words can be used: a road sign ◆ a dollar sign ◆ a faint radio signal ◆ The train waited while the signals were on red.

2.signal
noun, verb, adjective
noun
a movement or sound that you make to give sb information, instructions, a warning, etc.
Synonym: SIGN
a danger / warning / distress signal ◆ At an agreed signal they left the room. ◆ The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building. ◆ When I give the signal, run! ◆ (AmE) All I get is a busy signal when I dial his number (= his phone is being used). ◆ hand signals (= movements that cyclists and drivers make with their hands to tell other people that they are going to stop, turn, etc.)
See also TURN SIGNAL
an event, an action, a fact, etc. that shows that sth exists or is likely to happen
Synonym: SIGN, INDICATION
The rise in inflation is a clear signal that the government's policies are not working. ◆ Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems. ◆ Reducing prison sentences would send the wrong signals to criminals.
a piece of equipment that uses different coloured lights to tell drivers to slow down, stop, etc., used especially on railways/railroads and roads: traffic signals ◆ a stop signal ◆ Delays are occurring as a result of signal failure on the northbound line.
a series of electrical waves that carry sounds, pictures or messages, for example to a radio or television: TV signals ◆ a high frequency signal ◆ a sound / radio / radar signal ◆ to detect / pick up signals ◆ to emit a signal ◆ The satellite is used for transmitting signals around the world.
verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)
~ (to sb) to make a movement or sound to give sb a message, an order, etc: [V] Don't fire until I signal. ◆ Did you signal before you turned right? ◆ He signalled to the waiter for the bill. ◆ The patrolman signalled for her to stop. ◆ [VN] The referee signalled a foul. ◆ [V (that)] She signalled (that) it was time to leave. ◆ [V to inf] He signalled to us to join him. ◆ [VN to inf] She signalled him to follow. ◆ [V wh-] You must signal which way you are going to turn.
[VN] to be a sign that sth exists or is likely to happen: This announcement signalled a clear change of policy. ◆ The scandal surely signals the end of his political career.
to do sth to make your feelings or opinions known: [VN] He signalled his discontent by refusing to vote. ◆ [V (that)] She has signalled (that) she is willing to stand as a candidate.
adjective [only before noun] (formal) important: a signal success / honour ◆ a signal failure of leadership
signally adverb: They have signally failed to keep their election promises.