sign on

verb

signed on; signing on; signs on

intransitive verb

1

: to engage oneself by or as if by a signature

signed on to the new project

2

: to announce the start of broadcasting for the day

sign-on

ˈsī-ˌnȯn 

-ˌnän

noun

Synonyms of sign on

• sign up (for)
• join
• enter
• enroll (in)
• rejoin
• enlist (in)

Examples of sign on in a Sentence

I signed on for the crew team simply as a lark

Recent Examples on the Web

But after sending it to filmmaker friends Colin Trevorrow and Lilly Wachowski — who each signed on as producers — the production process began in earnest. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Seven tribes signed on with state agencies and local governments to formally co-manage the Clear Lake watershed, the first agreement of its kind under a new state tribal stewardship initiative. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

After Paulson signed on, Fern tapped his longtime friend/occasional roommate/fellow Aussie Toby Wallace to play the son. — Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Others, though, have advocated for a more patient approach and said policymakers should continue to watch the data for signs on how things are trending. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sign on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

sign on

verb

(ˈ)sī-ˈnȯn, 

-ˈnän

1

: to hire oneself by or as if by a signature

signed on as a member of the crew

2

: to announce the beginning of broadcasting