Symbol vs. Sign — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
A "symbol" represents ideas or concepts, while a "sign" conveys information or instructions, typically more direct in meaning.
Difference Between Symbol and Sign
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The words "Symbol" and "Sign" might appear similar, but they differ in their fundamental meanings and applications. A "symbol" is an object, character, or image that represents an idea, concept, or another abstraction. Symbols are not always immediately obvious in their meanings and can be deeply embedded in cultural, religious, or societal contexts. For example, a dove often symbolizes peace.
Conversely, a "sign" tends to have a clearer, more direct purpose. Signs are meant to convey specific information or instructions. They're prevalent in our daily lives, guiding actions, indicating directions, or providing warnings. For instance, a stop sign on the road has a clear and immediate directive.
Symbols often have multiple interpretations or layers of meaning. The heart, for instance, can symbolize love, life, or courage. Its interpretation can vary based on the context it's used in and the cultural background of the observer. This flexibility and depth of symbols make them powerful tools in literature, art, and religion.
Signs, being more direct, often don't have the depth of interpretation that symbols possess. They are designed to be universally understood, transcending linguistic barriers in many cases. A traffic light's colors, for example, have a standardized meaning in many countries worldwide.
In summary, while both symbols and signs serve to convey messages, symbols lean towards representing abstract ideas or concepts, often with deeper meanings, whereas signs aim to deliver clear, direct information or instructions.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Represents abstract ideas or concepts.
Conveys direct information or instructions.
Interpretation
Often multiple or deep meanings.
Generally straightforward and universal.
Usage
Literature, art, religion.
Daily life, traffic, directions.
Clarity
Might require context or cultural insight.
Designed for immediate understanding.
Examples
Dove (peace), cross (Christianity).
Stop sign, restroom sign, exit sign.
Compare with Definitions
Symbol
Something used to represent something else.
The lion is a symbol of courage.
Sign
A visual representation with a specific meaning.
The road had a sign for a pedestrian crossing.
Symbol
A character that stands for a complex whole.
$ is a symbol for currency.
Sign
A sign is an object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm, or medical symptoms a sign of disease.
Symbol
A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences.
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
The shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst
Flowers are often given as a sign of affection
Symbol
A mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process, e.g. the letter or letters standing for a chemical element or a character in musical notation
The chemical symbol for helium is He
The symbol r in Figure 5 represents a gene which is ineffective
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Symbol
A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract
The limousine was another symbol of his wealth and authority
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Symbol
Symbolize.
Sign
Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic
A person born under the sign of Virgo
A sign of the Zodiac
Symbol
Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible
The lamb is a symbol of innocence.
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Symbol
An instance that typifies a broader pattern or situation
His striking out to end the rally was a symbol of everything that had gone wrong with the team over the past month.
Sign
Write one's name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender
The card was signed by the whole class
Symbol
A printed or written sign used to represent an operation, element, quantity, quality, or relation, as in mathematics or music.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Symbol
(Psychology) An object or image that an individual unconsciously uses to represent repressed thoughts, feelings, or impulses
A phallic symbol.
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Symbol
A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
$ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.
Chinese people use word symbols for writing.
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Symbol
A thing considered the embodiment of a concept or object.
The lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Symbol
(linguistics) A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Symbol
A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols.
Sign
Sign language.
Symbol
(crystallography) The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.
Sign
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business
A motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
Symbol
(obsolete) That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Symbol
(obsolete) Share; allotment.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Symbol
(programming) An internal identifier used by a debugger to relate parts of the compiled program to the corresponding names in the source code.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Symbol
(telecommunications) A signalling event on a communications channel; a signal that cannot be further divided into meaningful information.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Symbol
To symbolize.
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Symbol
A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g., an actual part chosen to represent the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind.
Sign
(Medicine) An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
Symbol
Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Symbol
An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Symbol
That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
They do their work in the days of peace . . . and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Symbol
Share; allotment.
The persons who are to be judged . . . shall all appear to receive their symbol.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Symbol
An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element.
Sign
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract
Signed a rookie pitcher for next season.
Sign up actors for a tour.
Symbol
To symbolize.
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Symbol
An arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Symbol
Something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible;
The eagle is a symbol of the United States
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Symbol
A mark representing an idea or concept.
The heart is a universal symbol of love.
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Symbol
An emblematic representation of an abstract quality.
The scales are a symbol of justice.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Symbol
An image bearing deeper meaning in various contexts.
The rose is a symbol of both love and secrecy.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Sign
To write one's signature.
Sign
A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Sign
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Sign
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Sign
A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. sign (semiotics)]].
Sign
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
Sign
(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Sign
To make a mark
Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
Sign
(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
Sign
(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
Sign
To write (one's name) as a signature.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
Sign
To make the sign of the cross
Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
Sign
(reflexive) To cross oneself.
Sign
To indicate
Sign
(intransitive) To communicate using a gesture or signal.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
Sign
(intransitive) To use sign language.
Sign
(transitive) To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Sign
To determine the sign of
Sign
(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.
Sign
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Sign
Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.
Sign
Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves.
Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
Sign
A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas.
They made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Sign
Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
Sign
The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.
Sign
A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign - (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like.
Sign
Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
Sign
To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
Sign
To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,And let him sign it.
Sign
To assign or convey formally; - used with away.
Sign
To mark; to make distinguishable.
Sign
To be a sign or omen.
Sign
To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.
Sign
To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.
Sign
A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
He showed signs of strain
They welcomed the signs of spring
Sign
A public display of a (usually written) message;
He posted signs in all the shop windows
Sign
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Sign
Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
The highway was lined with signboards
Sign
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
Sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;
There were no signs of asphixiation
Sign
Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
He got the polarity of the battery reversed
Charges of opposite sign
Sign
An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
He hoped it was an augury
It was a sign from God
Sign
A gesture that is part of a sign language
Sign
A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;
The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
Sign
A character indicating a relation between quantities;
Don't forget the minus sign
Sign
Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
She signed the letter and sent it off
Please sign here
Sign
Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
All parties ratified the peace treaty
Have you signed your contract yet?
Sign
Be engaged by a written agreement;
He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
The soprano signed to sing the new opera
Sign
Engage by written agreement;
They signed two new pitchers for the next season
Sign
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
Sign
Place signs, as along a road;
Sign an intersection
This road has been signed
Sign
Communicate in sign language;
I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
Sign
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
Sign
Used of the language of the deaf
Sign
An object indicating direction or information.
The sign pointed towards the museum.
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey a message.
She gave a thumbs-up sign of approval.
Sign
An indicator of a specific condition or fact.
Dark clouds are a sign of rain.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation or command.
The No Smoking sign was clear.
Common Curiosities
Do signs change their meaning across cultures?
Some might, but many are designed for universal comprehension.
Can a word be a symbol?
Yes, words can symbolize ideas or concepts beyond their literal meanings.
Can a symbol also be a sign?
Yes, sometimes an object can function as both, depending on context.
Are symbols universal?
Not always. Some symbols might be culturally or contextually specific.
Why are symbols powerful in literature?
They can convey deep or layered meanings, enriching the narrative.
Are all signs visual?
Mostly, but signs can also be auditory, like alarms.
Why are signs important in daily life?
They guide, inform, and ensure safety by conveying clear instructions.
Is a country's flag a symbol or sign?
It's primarily a symbol, representing the country's values, history, and identity.
Can the meaning of a symbol evolve?
Yes, cultural shifts can alter a symbol's interpretation.
Do signs always have words?
No. Many signs, like traffic symbols, rely on visuals alone.
Are emojis symbols or signs?
Emojis can function as both, depending on their use and interpretation.
Do signs have to be man-made?
Not always. Natural indicators, like bird migrations, can be signs of changing seasons.
Can symbols be auditory?
Yes, certain sounds or tunes can symbolize specific ideas or events.
How are symbols used in branding?
Brands use symbols (logos) to convey their identity, values, or product essence.
Is a brand logo a symbol or a sign?
Primarily a symbol, representing brand values and identity, but it can function as a sign indicating a product's source.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
