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

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Williams was there to sign on behalf of the federal government, some nuclear-security research may take place at Pacific Fusion’s future facility. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Ryder just signed on for a role opposite Tom Holland in his Fred Astaire biopic for Sony. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

If approved, the Arsht Center’s pair of 1,800-square-feet digital signs on Biscayne Boulevard would join the one that started the fight in the first place. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Mattingly was under contract as the club's bench coach for 2027 before signing on as full-time manager. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 14 Oct. 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