SIGNAL
/'signl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- An electrical impulse or radio wave used to transmit information: A signal is a varying quantity (like voltage or light) that carries coded data from a source to a receiver.
- A sign, gesture, or event that conveys a message or instruction: A signal is any action or occurrence that gives information or acts as a cue to start something.
- An indication or evidence of something: A signal can be a notable event or fact that points to a specific condition or trend.
Verb:
- To communicate or indicate using a sign or signal: To convey a message, command, or information through a gesture, light, sound, or other sign.
- To be a sign or symptom of something: To serve as an indicator or point toward a particular fact, condition, or event.
Adjective:
- Notably outstanding or remarkable: Used to describe something that is conspicuously important, excellent, or worthy of attention.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The traffic light turned green, which was the signal for us to go.
- The ship sent a distress signal when it encountered trouble.
- A sudden drop in sales is a clear signal of economic trouble.
Verb:
- The referee signaled a foul by blowing his whistle.
- She signaled to the waiter that she wanted the check.
- These economic data signal a potential recession.
Adjective:
- His signal achievement was winning the Nobel Prize.
- The team's victory was a signal triumph for the underdogs.
Advanced Usage
"To signal intent": To clearly indicate one's purpose or plan.
- By investing heavily in research, the company signaled its intent to lead the market.
"A signal failure": A notably conspicuous or complete failure.
- The project's collapse was a signal failure of management.
"Signal-to-noise ratio": A technical term (often used metaphorically) comparing useful information (signal) to irrelevant data (noise).
- In this debate, the signal-to-noise ratio is very low; there are too many personal attacks and not enough facts.
Variants and Related Words
- Signaler/Signaller (n): A person who signals.
- Signaling/Signalling (n): The act of sending a signal.
- Signalize (v, less common): To make something noteworthy or to signal.
- Signalment (n): A detailed description, especially for identification.
Synonyms
- Noun: Sign, indication, cue, gesture, beacon, alert.
- Verb: Indicate, gesture, sign, beckon, motion, communicate.
- Adjective: Notable, remarkable, conspicuous, outstanding, eminent.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Signal for: To make a sign requesting something.
- He signaled for silence by raising his hand.
Signal out: (Less common; usually "single out"). To distinguish or select from a group. Note: "Signal out" is rare; "single out" is the standard phrase with a similar meaning of making something/someone notable.
Related Idioms
A clear signal: An unambiguous indication.
- The CEO's resignation sent a clear signal that the company was in crisis.
Mixed signals: Conflicting or contradictory indications.
- He's giving me mixed signals; one day he's friendly, the next he ignores me.
At a signal: Upon receiving a pre-arranged sign.
- The runners will begin at the signal from the starter's pistol.
Adjective
- notably out of the ordinary
- the year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party
Noun
- an electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes
- any incitement to action
- he awaited the signal to start
- the victory was a signal for wild celebration
- any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
- signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Verb
- be a signal for or a symptom of
- These symptoms indicate a serious illness
- Her behavior points to a severe neurosis
- The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued
- communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
- He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
- The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu