sign off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-high (Common in professional and media contexts)Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “sign off” mean?
To formally or officially conclude something, especially by giving approval or authorization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To formally or officially conclude something, especially by giving approval or authorization.
To end communication, broadcast, or participation; to log off from a digital account; to indicate approval by signing a document; to register departure (e.g., from work).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Sign off on' (meaning to approve) is slightly more common in American English. In UK broadcasting, 'sign off' can specifically refer to the closing sequence of a TV/radio station for the night.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with broadcasting and formal work procedures. US: Stronger association with business approvals and digital log-offs.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US corporate/business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sign off” in a Sentence
[Subject] + sign off + (on [Object])[Subject] + sign + [Object] + off[Subject] + sign off + (for [Time Period])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sign off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The accountant will sign off the quarterly figures by Friday.
- The BBC used to sign off with the national anthem.
American English
- The VP needs to sign off on the marketing plan before it goes live.
- I'll sign off Slack for the weekend.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The manager needs to sign off on the budget before we proceed.
Academic
The ethics committee must sign off the research methodology.
Everyday
I'll sign off from the chat now, talk tomorrow!
Technical
The engineer signed off the safety inspection certificate.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sign off”
- Using 'sign off' without 'on' when approval is meant (e.g., 'He signed off the proposal' vs. 'He signed off *on* the proposal'). Confusing 'sign off' (end) with 'sign out' (log out of a physical register).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but common in formal/professional contexts. 'Approve' or 'authorize' can be more formal synonyms.
'Log off' is primarily for computers/systems. 'Sign off' is broader: ending broadcasts, giving approval, concluding communications.
Use 'on' when referring to giving approval to a thing (sign off on a plan). Omit 'on' when referring to ending an activity or directly signing a document (sign off for the day, sign off the form).
Yes, informally (e.g., 'He gave the project his sign-off'). It's often hyphenated as 'sign-off' in noun form.
To formally or officially conclude something, especially by giving approval or authorization.
Sign off: in British English it is pronounced /saɪn ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /saɪn ɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sign off on something”
- “Sign off with a bang”
- “Sign off the air”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TV presenter SAYING 'Goodnight' and then turning their mic OFF. They SIGN (say) OFF.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION/ACTIVITY IS A BROADCAST (ending a broadcast). APPROVAL IS A SIGNATURE (authorizing with a sign).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sign off' LEAST appropriate?