English adjective: signal | |||
1. | signal notably out of the ordinary | ||
Samples | The year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party. | ||
Similar | impressive | ||
Antonyms | unimpressive | ||
English noun: signal | |||
1. | signal (communication) any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message | ||
Samples | Signals from the boat suddenly stopped. | ||
Synonyms | sign, signaling | ||
Broader (hypernym) | communication | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | alarm, alarum, alert, all clear, animal communication, beam, bugle call, curfew, distress call, distress signal, dog-ear, drumbeat, electronic signal, high sign, indicator, input, input signal, number, output, output signal, phone number, radio beacon, radio beam, radiotelegraphic signal, recording, retreat, start, starting signal, storm signal, symbol, telegraphic signal, telephone number, ticktack, time signal, visual signal, warning signal, whistle, whistling | ||
2. | signal (motive) any incitement to action | ||
Samples | He awaited the signal to start. The victory was a signal for wild celebration. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | incitation, incitement, provocation | ||
3. | signal (phenomenon) an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes | ||
Broader (hypernym) | electrical energy, electricity | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | interrupt | ||
English verb: signal | |||
1. | signal (communication) communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs | ||
Samples | He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture. The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu. | ||
Examples | They signal them the information, They signal the information to them | ||
Synonyms | sign, signalise, signalize | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | communicate, intercommunicate | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | flag, heliograph, semaphore, whistle, wigwag | ||
2. | signal (communication) be a signal for or a symptom of | ||
Samples | These symptoms indicate a serious illness. Her behavior points to a severe neurosis. The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued. | ||
Synonyms | bespeak, betoken, indicate, point | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | tell | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | augur, auspicate, betoken, bode, forecast, foreshadow, foretell, mark, omen, portend, predict, prefigure, presage, prognosticate | ||