Signature vs Signing

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Signature

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Signing

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Most common: Signature

	Signature	Signing
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnətʃə(r)/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnətʃər/"]/	🇬🇧 //ˈsaɪnɪŋ// 🇺🇸 //ˈsaɪnɪŋ//
Meaning	A person's name written in a special way.	The act of writing your name or making motions to communicate.
Example	Please add your signature at the bottom of the form to confirm your agreement.	She is signing the contract to finalize the deal.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR level	B2	-
Part of speech	noun
Collocations	illegible, handwritten, valid, put, scrawl, scribble, illegible, handwritten, valid, put, scrawl, scribble, characteristic, distinctive, telltale, detect, bear, leave, signature of	sign a contract, sign a document, sign language, sign an agreement, sign your name
Antonyms	anonymous, unsigned	-
Common mistakes	Confused with 'autograph' — an autograph is usually meant for fans., Misused in phrases like 'signature dish' when talking about a name., Incorrectly spelled as 'signiture'.	Confused with 'signs' as in symbols or indicators., Using 'signing' when referring to just writing instead of signing specifically., Mixing up 'sign' as a noun and verb.
Usage notes	Use 'signature' when referring to someone's written name, especially on official documents. Avoid in casual situations where handwriting is not the focus.	Used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Signing' often refers to legally signing documents, but it can also mean using sign language. Avoid using it in very casual contexts when discussing informal activities.

See it in real clips

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The phone you filmed the Hooded Hero with had the same cryptographic signature

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

No, no. Chili P's my signature.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The phone you filmed the Hooded Hero with had the same cryptographic signature

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

No, no. Chili P's my signature.

Signature

I didn't sign up for this!

and was signing some autographs,

I didn't sign up for this!

and was signing some autographs,

Signing

Frequently asked questions: Signature vs Signing

What's the difference between Signature and Signing?

Signature: A person's name written in a special way. Signing: The act of writing your name or making motions to communicate.

Which is more common: Signature and Signing?

Signature is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Signature: Please add your signature at the bottom of the form to confirm your agreement. Signing: She is signing the contract to finalize the deal.

Can I use Signature and Signing interchangeably?

Not always. Signature and Signing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.