signatory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, diplomatic, business
Quick answer
What does “signatory” mean?
A person, organization, or country that has signed a formal document, especially a treaty or contract, thereby expressing agreement and commitment to its terms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, organization, or country that has signed a formal document, especially a treaty or contract, thereby expressing agreement and commitment to its terms.
Can also function as an adjective meaning 'having signed' or 'bound by a signed agreement', often used in legal and diplomatic contexts to describe parties to a document.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The word is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes legal formality, binding agreement, and official participation in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its common use in business and legal contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “signatory” in a Sentence
[noun] signatory to [treaty/agreement][noun] signatory of [document][adjective] the signatory partiesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “signatory” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The signatory parties will meet in London next month.
- All signatory countries must submit their reports.
American English
- The signatory states are obligated to follow the new regulations.
- We need approval from every signatory organization.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a company or individual who signs a contract, merger agreement, or partnership deal.
Academic
Used in political science and international relations to discuss countries that have ratified treaties or conventions.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might be encountered in news about international agreements or important legal documents.
Technical
Precise legal term denoting an entity bound by the terms of a signed instrument.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “signatory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “signatory”
- Using 'signator' (non-standard) instead of 'signatory'.
- Confusing 'signatory' (noun/adjective) with 'signature' (noun only).
- Incorrect preposition: 'signatory for' instead of 'signatory to/of'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'signatory' can refer to any legal entity that signs, including individuals, companies, organizations, and countries.
Yes, though less common than the noun. As an adjective, it describes something related to or being a signatory, e.g., 'the signatory powers'.
A signatory is a party who signs and is bound by the document. A witness attests to the signing but is not necessarily a party to the agreement.
Typically, only signatories are formally bound, but treaties can have indirect effects on non-signatories through political or economic pressure.
A person, organization, or country that has signed a formal document, especially a treaty or contract, thereby expressing agreement and commitment to its terms.
Signatory is usually formal, legal, diplomatic, business in register.
Signatory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪɡ.nə.tər.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪɡ.nə.tɔːr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SIGN-atory' – someone who puts their SIGNature on an official document, making them a party to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMITMENT IS A BOND FORMED BY SIGNATURE; a signatory is metaphorically 'bound' or 'tied' to the agreement.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a signatory?