sign of the zodiac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal; technical in astrological contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sign of the zodiac” mean?
one of the twelve 30-degree sectors of the ecliptic, each named after a constellation, used in astrology to denote a person's birth period.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
one of the twelve 30-degree sectors of the ecliptic, each named after a constellation, used in astrology to denote a person's birth period.
A symbolic representation of personality traits, destiny, or character associated with a specific period of the year, based on astrological belief systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'sign of the zodiac' and 'zodiac sign' interchangeably.
Connotations
Similar cultural connotations, associated with horoscopes, personality types, and popular culture.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both varieties. 'Zodiac sign' may be slightly more common in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “sign of the zodiac” in a Sentence
What is your [sign of the zodiac]?She was born under the [sign of the zodiac] of Libra.The [sign of the zodiac] associated with this date is Taurus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sign of the zodiac” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'zodiacal' for related concepts.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Use 'zodiacal' for related concepts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in marketing for lifestyle, entertainment, or personalised products (e.g., 'targeted by zodiac sign').
Academic
Used in cultural studies, history of science, or sociology when examining belief systems.
Everyday
Common in social conversations about personality, horoscopes in media, and birthday references.
Technical
Used in astrology with specific parameters (e.g., tropical vs. sidereal zodiac).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sign of the zodiac”
- Incorrect article: 'I am *a* Libra sign.' (Correct: 'I am a Libra' or 'My sign is Libra.')
- Pluralisation: 'What are the signs of the zodiacs?' (Correct: '...of the zodiac.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In modern Western (tropical) astrology, a 'sign' is a fixed 30-degree sector of the ecliptic, starting from the vernal equinox. The constellations are irregular star patterns that have shifted relative to these sectors over millennia.
There are twelve: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
In common usage, they are synonymous. Technically, your 'sun sign' is the specific sign of the zodiac where the Sun was located at your birth. Your 'sign of the zodiac' typically refers to this sun sign, but you also have a moon sign, rising sign, etc., for other celestial bodies.
It is neutral. 'Sign of the zodiac' and 'zodiac sign' are standard terms. The context determines formality—discussing it in a cultural studies paper is formal, while chatting about horoscopes is informal.
one of the twelve 30-degree sectors of the ecliptic, each named after a constellation, used in astrology to denote a person's birth period.
Sign of the zodiac: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaɪn əv ðə ˈzəʊ.di.æk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaɪn əv ðə ˈzoʊ.di.æk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “born under a lucky star (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a giant circular CLOCK in the sky divided into 12 sections, each with a SIGN (like Aries or Libra) instead of numbers.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (a segment of the yearly cycle is mapped onto a segment of celestial space); PERSONALITY IS A CELESTIAL PATTERN.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a direct synonym for 'sign of the zodiac'?