Origin: Latin suffix -ure
Signature has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
your name written in your own handwriting
"Please sign the contract here so that your signature is visible on the bottom line."
a melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program
"The audience immediately recognized the saxophone solo as The Jazz Cats' signature tune when they walked into the club."
the sharps or flats that follow the clef and indicate the key
"The composer added a B-flat to the signature, ensuring the entire piece would sound rich and resonant in F major."
a sheet with several pages printed on it; it folds to page size and is bound with other signatures to form a book
"The binding expert carefully stacked the signatures, ensuring each folded section of paper aligned perfectly before gluing them together."
A person's name, written by that person, used as identification or to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract.
"The lawyer asked me to verify the document before I added my signature to confirm I agreed to all the terms."
In plain English: A signature is your unique handwritten name used to officially sign something.
"She signed her name at the bottom with a distinctive flourish that became her signature."
Distinctive, characteristic, indicative of identity.
"The detective recognized the thief by his signature limp as he walked away from the scene."
In plain English: When something is described as signature, it means it is the specific style or look that a particular person is famous for.
"The restaurant served him his signature dish again today."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe something that serves as a distinctive mark or proof of an individual's unique style and character. It is often applied metaphorically to actions, voices, or events rather than physical documents.
The word signature comes from Medieval Latin signātūra, meaning "a thing signed," and entered Middle French before reaching English. It replaced the earlier Old English term handseten, which literally meant "hand setting."