Definition

Verb (phrasal verb): 1. To formally agree to a contract or to begin employment: To commit oneself to a job, organization, or course of action by signing a contract or official document. 2. To register or enlist, especially for unemployment benefits or a service: To officially record oneself as available for something, such as government support or a membership.

Usage

• This phrasal verb is typically used in professional, employment, or administrative contexts. It often implies a formal commitment through a signature.
• It can be used both transitively (e.g., ) and intransitively (e.g., ).

Examples

• Transitive use:
  • The tech startup signed on several experienced engineers last month.
  • The football club hopes to sign on the talented striker before the transfer window closes.
• Intransitive use:
  • After graduating, she signed on with a major consulting firm.
  • Many workers had to sign on for unemployment benefits during the economic downturn.

Advanced Usage

• "to sign on to something": To agree to support or participate in a plan, idea, or project.
  • All department heads have signed on to the new sustainability initiative.
• "to sign on the dotted line": An idiom meaning to formally agree to a contract by signing it.
  • After reviewing the terms, he was ready to sign on the dotted line.

Variants and Related Words

• Signatory (n): A person or party that has signed an agreement or contract.
  • All signatories to the treaty must comply with its terms.
• Sign-up (n): The action of enrolling or registering for something.
  • The sign-up for the new course begins next week.

Synonyms

• Enlist: To enroll for service.
• Register: To enter one's name on an official list.
• Contract: To enter into a formal agreement.
• Hire: To employ someone (used from the employer's perspective).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Sign up: Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with "sign on" for joining services, courses, or mailing lists. "Sign up" can sound slightly less formal than "sign on" for employment.
  • I signed up for a pottery class.
• Sign off: To give formal approval by signing, or to end a communication.
  • The manager signed off on the budget.
  • The radio host signed off with his usual catchphrase.
• Sign in: To record one's arrival by signing a register.
  • Please sign in at the reception desk when you arrive.

Verb

1. engage by written agreement
   • They signed two new pitchers for the next season