noun
Common
signing
SEYE-nihng
Signing (noun) means the act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer. Example: “The club celebrated the signing of their new star forward.”
noun
1
The act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer.
"The club celebrated the signing of their new star forward."
"Fans queued outside the stadium to see the signing of the young goalkeeper."
"After months of talks, the signing of the contract finally took place on Friday."
2
A person newly signed to a team, agency, or label.
"The new signing scored on his debut."
"Our best signing this season has been a quiet defender from a smaller club."
"The label introduced its latest signing, a young singer, to the press."
3
An event where an author signs copies of their book for readers.
"The bookshop is hosting a signing this Saturday."
"I queued for an hour at the signing to get my copy of her novel."
"The author thanked everyone who came along to the signing at the library."
How to use signing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of putting a signature on a contract, or the person/event connected with that act.
Common pairings
book signing
new signing
signing ceremony
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Word forms
- Plural
- signings
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The club celebrated the _____ of their new star forward.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for signing
See all rhymes for signing →Frequently asked questions
What does “signing” mean?
The word “signing” means the act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer. In plain terms, the act of putting a signature on a contract, or the person/event connected with that act.
How do you pronounce “signing”?
“Signing” is pronounced SEYE-nihng (/ˈsaɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “signing” in a sentence?
Here is “signing” used in a sentence: “The club celebrated the signing of their new star forward.”
What part of speech is “signing”?
“Signing” is a noun.
Is “signing” a common word?
“Signing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “signing” have?
“Signing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer.
What does "signing" mean in sport?
In sport, a signing is the act of a player formally agreeing to a contract with a club, or the player themselves once recruited. A "new signing" is a player who has just joined the team. The word captures both the moment of committing and the person brought on board.
What is the difference between a signing and a transfer?
A signing refers to the act of a player agreeing to and putting pen to a contract with a club. A transfer is the broader move of a player from one club to another, including the negotiation and fee. A transfer often culminates in a signing, but the terms emphasise different stages.
Does "signing" have other meanings?
Yes. Beyond sport and entertainment contracts, "signing" can mean the act of writing your signature on any document, an author's book-signing event, or communicating in sign language. This definition focuses on the contractual sense used for athletes and performers formally committing to a club or deal.
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