Sign vs. Notice — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
A sign is a symbol or display used to communicate information or instructions, while a notice is a written or printed announcement intended to inform or alert.
Difference Between Sign and Notice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sign often utilizes symbols, colors, and minimal text to convey messages quickly and efficiently, targeting those who see it in passing. On the other hand, a notice usually comprises more detailed text and is designed to convey specific information or instructions, often requiring deliberate reading and attention.
Signs are commonly used in public spaces and roads to guide behavior, warn of dangers, or provide directions, using universally recognized icons to transcend language barriers. Whereas notices are more likely to be found in both public and private settings, detailing rules, instructions, or announcements that need explicit textual communication.
The design of signs is typically governed by standard regulations, which ensure that they are universally understandable; for instance, stop signs are always octagonal and red. On the other hand, notices have more flexibility in design but must ensure clarity and legibility of the text to effectively communicate the message.
Signs need to be instantly recognizable and are therefore brief and direct. In contrast, notices can afford to be more comprehensive, providing context or detailed explanations as needed to ensure the information is understood.
In terms of legal importance, both signs and notices can serve regulatory purposes; however, signs often indicate mandatory actions or safety warnings that have legal implications if disregarded. Notices, while they can also carry legal weight, are more often informative and less directive in nature.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To guide, warn, or direct behavior
To inform or alert about specific details
Common Locations
Roads, public spaces
Public and private spaces
Content
Symbols, minimal text
Detailed text
Design Regulations
Standardized, highly regulated
Flexible, prioritizing clarity
Legal Implications
Often have legal force
More informative, occasionally legal implications
Compare with Definitions
Sign
Warning sign.
The sign cautioned of high voltage in the area.
Notice
Public notice.
The notice about the public hearing was posted at the city hall.
Sign
Symbolic sign.
The no smoking sign is recognized globally.
Notice
Instructional notice.
The notice on the package explained how to assemble the furniture.
Sign
Informational sign.
The sign at the zoo displayed the feeding times.
Notice
Eviction notice.
The tenant received a notice for eviction due to unpaid rent.
Sign
Directional sign.
The arrow on the sign indicated the way to the park.
Notice
Legal notice.
She was served a legal notice for the upcoming court date.
Sign
Regulatory sign.
The stop sign at the corner controls traffic flow.
Notice
Warning notice.
The notice warned residents about the scheduled power outage.
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.
Notice
Notice is the legal concept describing a requirement that a party be aware of legal process affecting their rights, obligations or duties. There are several types of notice: public notice (or legal notice), actual notice, constructive notice, and implied notice.
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
Notice
The fact of observing or paying attention to something
It has come to our notice that you have been missing school
Their silence did not escape my notice
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Notice
Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Notice
A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information
The jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room
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
Notice
Become aware of
I noticed that she was looking tired
They were too drunk to notice
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Notice
The act of noting or observing; perception or attention
That detail escaped my notice.
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
Notice
Respectful attention or consideration
Grateful for the teacher's notice.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Notice
A written or printed announcement
A notice of sale.
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Notice
A formal announcement, notification, or warning, especially an announcement of one's intention to withdraw from an agreement or leave a job
Gave my employer two weeks' notice.
Raised the price without notice.
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Notice
The condition of being formally warned or notified
Put us on notice for chronic lateness.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Notice
A printed critical review, as of a play or book.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Notice
To take notice of; observe
Noticed a figure in the doorway. ].
Sign
Sign language.
Notice
The act of observing; perception.
He took no notice of the changes, and went on as though nothing had happened.
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.
Notice
(countable) A written or printed announcement.
Shall we post a notice about the new policy?
I always read the death notices in the paper.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Notice
(countable) A formal notification or warning.
The sidewalk adjacent to the damaged bridge stonework shall be closed until further notice.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Notice
Advance notification of termination of employment, given by an employer to an employee or vice versa.
I gave her her mandatory two weeks' notice and sacked her.
I can't work here any longer. I'm giving notice.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Notice
(countable) A published critical review of a play or the like.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Notice
(uncountable) Prior notification.
I don't mind if you want to change the venue; just give me some notice first, OK?
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Notice
(dated) Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
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.
Notice
To remark upon; to mention.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Notice
(transitive) To become aware of; to observe.
Did you notice the flowers in her yard?
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Notice
To lavish attention upon; to treat (someone) favourably.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Notice
(intransitive) To be noticeable; to show.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Notice
The act of noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note.
How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we take of other persons!
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.
Notice
Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning.
I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Notice
An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Notice
A writing communicating information or warning.
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Notice
Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Notice
To observe; to see; to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Notice
To show that one has observed; to take public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to notice a book.
This plant deserves to be noticed in this place.
Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Notice
To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Notice
An announcement containing information about a future event;
You didn't give me enough notice
Sign
To write one's signature.
Notice
The act of noticing or paying attention;
He escaped the notice of the police
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.
Notice
A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Notice
Advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement or contract;
We received a notice to vacate the premises
He gave notice two months before he moved
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.
Notice
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Notice
Polite or favorable attention;
His hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Notice
A short critical review;
The play received good notices
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Notice
Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of;
She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
We found traces of lead in the paint
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.
Notice
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Notice
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
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)]].
Notice
Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing
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
Common Curiosities
Do all signs use text?
Not necessarily; many signs, like road signs or symbols, use graphical elements to convey messages without text.
How long should a notice be displayed?
The duration a notice should be displayed varies based on its purpose and the information it conveys.
Are signs more important than notices?
Importance depends on context; signs are crucial for immediate safety, while notices are important for detailed information.
Do notices need to be accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes, like signs, notices should be accessible, incorporating features like Braille or large print where necessary.
What materials are signs typically made from?
Signs are commonly made from durable materials like metal or plastic to withstand outdoor conditions.
Can notices be digital?
Yes, notices can be either printed or digital, depending on the intended audience and location.
Can a notice replace a sign?
In some contexts, notices can complement signs but are not usually a direct replacement due to differences in detail and immediacy.
What is the most common type of sign in workplaces?
Safety signs are the most common in workplaces, indicating hazards and safety procedures.
Are there international standards for signs?
Yes, many signs, especially traffic and safety signs, follow international standards to maintain consistency and understanding across borders.
How effective are digital notices compared to printed ones?
Digital notices can be more effective in reaching a larger audience quickly, especially in digital-savvy environments.
What is the penalty for ignoring a regulatory sign?
Penalties vary by jurisdiction but can include fines or other legal repercussions.
How often should signs be updated?
Signs should be updated as needed to reflect current laws, regulations, or environmental conditions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
