Sign vs. Cosign — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 16, 2024
Sign is an action or gesture indicating agreement or intent, while cosign refers to signing a document with another person, often to guarantee a loan.
Difference Between Sign and Cosign
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sign is a broad term used to describe the act of marking a document or indicating agreement through a written signature. It is a fundamental part of validating contracts, agreements, and various forms of documentation. Cosign, on the other hand, involves signing a document alongside another individual, usually to provide additional security or guarantee. This is commonly seen in financial contexts, such as loans, where a cosigner assures the lender of the borrower's obligations.
When you sign a document, you are typically the principal party agreeing to the terms. In contrast, cosigning means you are sharing responsibility with another signer, often taking on legal obligations if the primary party defaults.
The act of signing can apply to various contexts, from personal letters to legal documents. Cosigning specifically implies a supportive role, often involving financial responsibility, making it a critical consideration in lending scenarios.
Signing is a straightforward process where one affixes their name to indicate consent or acknowledgment. Cosigning adds an extra layer of commitment, as the cosigner backs up the primary signer’s agreement, particularly in credit agreements.
In digital and physical forms, signatures validate the authenticity of documents. Cosigning, however, carries a heavier implication, as it involves a pledge to fulfill the terms if the primary signer fails to do so.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To affix a signature to a document
To sign a document jointly with another
Contexts
General agreements, documents
Financial agreements, guarantees
Responsibility
Primary responsibility
Shared responsibility, secondary guarantee
Common Uses
Contracts, letters, legal forms
Loans, leases, financial agreements
Implication
Consent or acknowledgment
Guarantee or additional security
Compare with Definitions
Sign
To make a gesture or signal indicating agreement or intent.
She signaled her agreement with a nod.
Cosign
To sign a document together with another person, often for a loan.
His parents agreed to cosign his student loan.
Sign
A sign is an object, quality, event, or entity whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else. A natural sign bears a causal relation to its object—for instance, thunder is a sign of storm, or medical symptoms a sign of disease.
Cosign
To add one's signature to an agreement to provide additional assurance.
She had to cosign the lease for her younger sister.
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else
The shops are full, which is a sign that the recession is past its worst
Flowers are often given as a sign of affection
Cosign
To act as a guarantor by signing with the primary party.
The bank required him to find a cosigner for the auto loan.
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Cosign
To endorse a financial commitment jointly.
He needed someone to cosign his mortgage application.
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Cosign
To share legal responsibility by signing a document.
Cosigning the loan meant she was liable if her friend defaulted.
Sign
Each of the twelve equal sections into which the zodiac is divided, named from the constellations formerly situated in each, and associated with successive periods of the year according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic
A person born under the sign of Virgo
A sign of the Zodiac
Cosign
To sign (a document) jointly.
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Cosign
To endorse (another's signature), as for a loan.
Sign
Write one's name on (a letter, card, document, etc.) to identify oneself as the writer or sender
The card was signed by the whole class
Cosign
To sign a document jointly with another person, sometimes as an endorsement.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Cosign
(slang) To agree with or endorse
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Cosign
The promotion of one musical artist (usually less successful) by another.
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Cosign
Sign jointly;
Husband and wife co-signed the lease
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Cosign
Sign and endorse (another person's signature), as for a loan
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Sign
Sign language.
Sign
A displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify or advertise a place of business
A motel with a flashing neon sign outside.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Sign
(Medicine) An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Sign
To hire or engage by obtaining a signature on a contract
Signed a rookie pitcher for next season.
Sign up actors for a tour.
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Sign
To write one's signature.
Sign
A perceptible (e.g. visible) indication.
Their angry expressions were a clear sign they didn't want to talk.
Those clouds show signs of raining soon.
Those clouds show little sign of raining soon.
Signs of disease are objective, whereas symptoms are subjective.
The sharp sign indicates that the pitch of the note is raised a half step.
I gave them a thumbs-up sign.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Sign
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
The sign in the window advertised a room for rent.
I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Sign
A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Sign
A semantic unit, something that conveys meaning or information (e.g. a word of written language); a unit consisting of a signifier and a signified concept. sign (semiotics)]].
Sign
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
Sign
(medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, can be detected objectively by someone other than the patient.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Sign
To make a mark
Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
Sign
(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
Sign
(transitive) More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
Sign
To write (one's name) as a signature.
Just sign your name at the bottom there.
I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
Sign
To make the sign of the cross
Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
Sign
(reflexive) To cross oneself.
Sign
To indicate
Sign
(intransitive) To communicate using a gesture or signal.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate or make known (a meaning, intention, etc.) by a sign.
Sign
(transitive) To communicate using gestures to (someone).
He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
Sign
(intransitive) To use sign language.
Sign
(transitive) To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Sign
To determine the sign of
Sign
(transitive) To calculate or derive whether a quantity has a positive or negative sign.
Sign
That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof.
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Sign
Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument.
What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.
Sign
Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture.
The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves.
Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory.
Sign
A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas.
They made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Sign
Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard.
The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
Sign
The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.
Sign
A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign - (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like.
Sign
Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc.
An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.
Sign
To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify.
I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
Sign
To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign.
We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
Sign
To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting.
Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed,And let him sign it.
Sign
To assign or convey formally; - used with away.
Sign
To mark; to make distinguishable.
Sign
To be a sign or omen.
Sign
To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.
Sign
To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.
Sign
A perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened);
He showed signs of strain
They welcomed the signs of spring
Sign
A public display of a (usually written) message;
He posted signs in all the shop windows
Sign
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Sign
Structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted;
The highway was lined with signboards
Sign
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
Sign
(medicine) any objective evidence of the presence of a disorder or disease;
There were no signs of asphixiation
Sign
Having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges);
He got the polarity of the battery reversed
Charges of opposite sign
Sign
An event that is experienced as indicating important things to come;
He hoped it was an augury
It was a sign from God
Sign
A gesture that is part of a sign language
Sign
A fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified;
The bond between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary
Sign
A character indicating a relation between quantities;
Don't forget the minus sign
Sign
Mark with one's signature; write one's name (on);
She signed the letter and sent it off
Please sign here
Sign
Approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation;
All parties ratified the peace treaty
Have you signed your contract yet?
Sign
Be engaged by a written agreement;
He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18
The soprano signed to sing the new opera
Sign
Engage by written agreement;
They signed two new pitchers for the next season
Sign
Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
Sign
Place signs, as along a road;
Sign an intersection
This road has been signed
Sign
Communicate in sign language;
I don't know how to sign, so I could not communicate with my deaf cousin
Sign
Make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
Sign
Used of the language of the deaf
Sign
To write one's name on a document as a form of approval or acknowledgment.
He had to sign the contract before starting the job.
Sign
To display a symbol or mark that carries meaning.
The sign on the door said Closed.
Sign
To engage in signing language to communicate.
They learned to sign to communicate with their deaf friend.
Sign
To authorize or endorse officially.
The mayor signed the new ordinance into law.
Common Curiosities
What does cosign mean?
Cosigning means signing a document jointly with another person, often to guarantee a loan or financial agreement.
Does cosigning affect my credit?
Yes, cosigning can affect your credit as you are legally responsible for the debt if the primary signer defaults.
Why might someone need a cosigner?
A cosigner provides additional security to a lender, promising to fulfill the agreement if the primary signer fails.
Is a cosigner the same as a guarantor?
Yes, a cosigner acts as a guarantor, taking on financial responsibility if the primary signer cannot meet the terms.
What risks are involved in cosigning a loan?
Cosigners are liable for the debt if the primary borrower defaults, which can impact their credit and finances.
What does it mean to sign a document?
Signing a document means writing your name on it to indicate approval or acknowledgment.
Can you cosign a lease?
Yes, cosigning a lease is common to help someone qualify for rental agreements.
What is the main difference between signing and cosigning?
Signing indicates your personal agreement, while cosigning adds a guarantee for another person's agreement.
How do you remove yourself as a cosigner?
Removing yourself as a cosigner typically requires refinancing or the primary signer obtaining a release from the lender.
Can anyone be a cosigner?
Typically, a cosigner needs to have good credit and stable financial status.
Can a cosigner be removed from a loan?
Yes, but it often requires the loan to be refinanced or paid off.
Does signing always require a handwritten signature?
No, digital signatures are also valid for many documents.
Does cosigning help build credit?
Cosigning can help build credit if the loan is repaid on time, but it can harm your credit if payments are missed.
Is it possible to sign a document electronically?
Yes, electronic signatures are widely accepted in many legal and business contexts.
What happens if you sign a document you don’t agree with?
Signing a document indicates agreement, so you may be legally bound to its terms even if you disagree.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
