ADJ
- clear, definite, distinct, obvious, real, sure, telltale, unmistakable
- external, outward, visible
- All the outward signs of growth in the market are there
- tangible
- early, first
- Strong likes or dislikes of various foods are another of the early signs of pregnancy
- increasing
- encouraging, good, healthy, hopeful, positive, welcome
- He was silent. It was a good sign
- bad, disturbing
- danger, ominous, warning
- Are appliances you buy safe? We point out the danger signs
VERB + SIGN
- bear, have
- The murder had all the signs of a crime of passion
- exhibit, display, give, show
- By now the fish was showing signs of distress
- detect, find, see, watch out for
- We detected signs that they were less than enthusiastic about the holiday
- interpret (sth as), read, recognize, see sth as
- look for
- Look carefully for signs of damp
- point out
SIGN + VERB
- appear, come
- The first signs of spring appeared
- indicate sth, point to sth
- All the signs pointed to it being more than just a coincidence
PREP
- at a/the ~
- He disappeared at the first sign of trouble
- from ~
- The villages regarded the earthquake as a sign from God
- ~ of
PHRASES
- sign of life
- There was no sign of life in the house (= there seemed to be nobody there)
- a sign of the times
- It's a real sign of the times: 30 small businesses face financial ruin this month
- little/no/not the least/not the slightest sign (of sb/sth)
- He spoke up without the slightest sign of nervousness
ADJ
- flashing, illuminated
- neon
- handwritten, painted
- exit
- inn, pub, shop, street
- direction, road, traffic
- '
- Stop
- '
- warning
- '
- For sale
- '
- ,
- '
- No Smoking
- '
- ,
- '
- To let
- '
VERB + SIGN
- erect, hang out/up, hold up, put up
- Some of the marchers were holding up signs and placards. Someone had put up a 'For Sale' sign
- see
- read
- follow
- Just follow the signs for Bridgend
SIGN + VERB
- read sth, say sth
- The sign read 'No Fishing'
- indicate sth
- This sign indicates that cycling is allowed
- point
- The sign pointed down a small lane
- advertise sth
- warn
- signs warning against trespass
- flash
- A neon sign flashed above the door
PREP
- ~ for/to
- Follow the road and you'll see signs for the turn-off
VERB + SIGN
- give (sb), make
- She gave me a thumbs-up sign
- communicate through
- They had to communicate through signs and grunts
PREP
- ~ for
- the sign for 'woman' in sign language
PHRASES
- make the sign of the cross
- The priest made the sign of the cross over the dead body
ADJ
- euro, pound, etc.
- equals, minus, plus, etc.
VERB + SIGN
- draw, make
- The wizard drew some strange signs in the air with his wand
- use
- I used the Chinese sign for 'father' instead of 'uncle'
SIGN + VERB
- mean sth
- What does this sign mean?
PREP
- ~ for
- I can't remember the sign for 'square root'
PREP
- ~ of
- people born under the sign of Gemini