Sign vs. Token — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
A sign represents an idea or object through a physical form, while a token stands for or represents something in a symbolic form, often carrying specific value or meaning.
Difference Between Sign and Token
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sign is primarily used for communication purposes, such as road signs or signs in language that convey specific information. On the other hand, a token often serves as a representative of a particular value or status, such as tokens used in public transport systems or as part of a game.
Signs are typically designed to be universally understood, employing symbols or direct information. Whereas tokens might have a limited scope of recognition, understood within a particular context or community, like arcade tokens or cryptographic tokens in digital transactions.
In linguistics, signs include words or gestures that have specific meanings within a language. Tokens, however, in programming and computing, refer to sequences that have a collective meaning as part of a coding structure.
Environmental signs, such as smoke indicating fire, are naturally occurring and universally recognizable. Tokens, by contrast, are often created or designated, such as poker chips representing a certain amount of money in gambling contexts.
Regulatory signs direct behavior or provide warnings to prevent accidents. Meanwhile, tokens like subway tokens or casino chips facilitate certain transactions within controlled environments.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An indicator or symbol for communication or information.
A representative unit, often carrying value or specific rights.
Usage Context
Used in everyday communication, navigation, and safety.
Used primarily in transactions, gaming, or as part of authentication systems.
Recognizability
Generally universal and designed to be instantly recognizable.
Context-specific and often requires prior knowledge or familiarity.
Examples in Nature
Smoke as a sign of fire, clouds indicating weather changes.
Not typically found in natural settings; more common in structured environments.
Dependency on Context
Often independent of specific contexts.
Highly dependent on the system or environment in which it is used.
Compare with Definitions
Sign
Any of the conventional symbols in writing, printing, etc.
A dollar sign indicates currency.
Token
A piece of stamped metal or plastic used as a substitute for currency.
Bus tokens were used for fare payment.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command.
The Stop sign is used to direct traffic.
Token
A tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, or other abstract concepts.
A ring can be a token of love and commitment.
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence indicates the probable presence of something else.
Dark clouds are a sign of impending rain.
Token
A voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services.
Gift tokens are popular as presents.
Sign
Marks or symbols used as a form of communication.
Sign language is used by the hearing impaired.
Token
A symbol representing a fact, event, property, or function.
A token in programming represents a string of characters.
Sign
A gesture used to convey information or instructions.
The thumbs up is a sign of approval.
Token
Something serving as an indication, proof, or expression of something else; a sign
"His lifelong refusal to allow bigots to truly bother him was often considered, unfairly, a token of his weakness" (Jeremy Schaap).
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.
Token
Something that signifies or evidences authority, validity, or identity
The scepter is a token of regal status.
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
Token
A specific instance of a phenomenon or a class of things, as of a linguistic feature in a sample of a person's speech, that can be isolated for study or analysis.
Sign
A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction
She gave him the thumbs-up sign
Token
A person who is considered as representative of a social group, such as a lone individual or one of a small number of employees hired primarily to prevent an employer from being accused of discrimination.
Sign
A notice on public display that gives information or instructions in a written or symbolic form
I didn't see the ‘Stop’ sign
Token
A keepsake or souvenir.
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
Token
A piece of stamped metal used as a substitute for currency
Subway tokens.
Sign
The positiveness or negativeness of a quantity
The last four bits hold a pattern to represent the sign of the number
Token
A small electronic device issued to a user to serve as proof of identity, as for the purpose of accessing a network.
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
Token
A piece of software that serves as proof of the user's identity.
Sign
Use gestures to convey information or instructions
She signed to her husband to leave the room
Token
To betoken or symbolize; portend.
Sign
Indicate with signposts or other markers
The footpath is signed by the gate
Token
Done as an indication or pledge
A token payment.
Sign
Mark or consecrate with the sign of the cross
He signed himself with the cross
Token
Perfunctory; minimal
A token gesture of reconciliation.
Token resistance.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Token
Being a product of tokenism; merely symbolic
Refused to be the token woman on the committee.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Token
Something serving as an expression of something else.
According to the Bible, the rainbow is a token of God's covenant with Noah.
Sign
Sign language.
Token
A keepsake.
Please accept this bustier as a token of our time together.
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.
Token
A piece of stamped metal or plastic, etc., used as a substitute for money; a voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services.
Subway tokens are being replaced by magnetic cards.
A book token is the easiest option for a Christmas gift.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Token
A small physical object, often designed to give the appearance of a common thing, used to represent a person or character in a board game or other situation.
Everyone pick a token (hat, wheelbarrow, thimble, etc.) and place it on the Start square.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Token
A minor attempt for appearance's sake, or to minimally comply with a requirement.
His apology was no more than a token.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Token
A member of a group of people that is included within a larger group to comply with a legal or social requirement.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Token
Evidence, proof; a confirming detail; physical trace, mark, footprint.
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Token
Support for a belief; grounds for an opinion.
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.
Token
An extraordinary event serving as evidence of supernatural power.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Token
An object or disclosure to attest or authenticate the bearer or an instruction.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Token
A seal guaranteeing the quality of an item.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Token
Something given or shown as a symbol or guarantee of authority or right; a sign of authenticity, of power, good faith.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Token
A tally.
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.
Token
(philosophy) A particular thing to which a concept applies.
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Token
(computing) An atomic piece of data, such as a word, for which a meaning may be inferred during parsing.
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Token
(computing) A conceptual object that can be possessed by a computer, process, etc. in order to regulate a turn-taking system such as a token ring network.
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Token
(computing) A meaningless placeholder used as a substitute for sensitive data.
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Token
(grammar) A lexeme; a basic, grammatically indivisible unit of a language such as a keyword, operator or identifier.
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Token
(corpus linguistics) A single example of a certain word in a text or corpus.
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Token
(medical) A characteristic sign of a disease or of a bodily disorder, a symptom; a sign of a bodily condition, recovery, or health.
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Token
(printing) Ten and a half quires, or, commonly, 250 sheets, of paper printed on both sides; also, in some cases, the same number of sheets printed on one side, or half the number printed on both sides.
Sign
To write one's signature.
Token
(mining) A bit of leather having a peculiar mark designating a particular miner. Each hewer sent one of these with each corf or tub he had hewn.
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.
Token
(mining) A thin bed of coal indicating the existence of a thicker seam at no great distance.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
Token
(rail transport) A physical object used for exchange between drivers and signalmen on single track lines.
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.
Token
(weaving) In a loom, a colored signal to show the weaver which shuttle to use.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Token
(Church of Scotland) A piece of metal given beforehand to each person in the congregation who is permitted to partake of the Lord's Supper.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Token
Done as an indication or a pledge.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
Token
Perfunctory or merely symbolic; done or existing for appearance's sake, or to minimally comply with a requirement.
A token gesture
He made a token tap on the brake pedal at the stop sign.
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.
Token
(of people) Included in minimal numbers in order to create an impression or illusion of diversity, especially ethnic or gender diversity.
He was hired as the company's token black person.
The television show was primarily directed toward a black audience, but it did have a few token white people as performers.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
Token
To betoken, indicate, portend, designate, denote
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)]].
Token
To betroth
Sign
An omen.
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said.
Token
(philosophy) To symbolize, instantiate
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.
Token
Something intended or supposed to represent or indicate another thing or an event; a sign; a symbol; as, the rainbow is a token of God's covenant established with Noah.
Sign
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Token
A memorial of friendship; something by which the friendship of another person is to be kept in mind; a memento; a souvenir.
This is some token from a never friend.
Sign
To make a mark
Token
Something given or shown as a symbol or guarantee of authority or right; a sign of authenticity, of power, good faith, etc.
Say, by this token, I desire his company.
Sign
To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol.
The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
Token
A piece of metal intended for currency, and issued by a private party, usually bearing the name of the issuer, and redeemable in lawful money. Also, a coin issued by government, esp. when its use as lawful money is limited and its intrinsic value is much below its nominal value.
Sign
(transitive) To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
Token
Ten and a half quires, or, commonly, 250 sheets, of paper printed on both sides; also, in some cases, the same number of sheets printed on one side, or half the number printed on both sides.
Sign
(transitive) To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
Token
A piece of metal given beforehand to each person in the congregation who is permitted to partake of the Lord's Supper.
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.
Token
A bit of leather having a peculiar mark designating a particular miner. Each hewer sends one of these with each corf or tub he has hewn.
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’.
Token
In a Jacquard loom, a colored signal to show the weaver which shuttle to use.
Sign
(intransitive) To write one's signature.
Please sign on the dotted line.
Token
To betoken.
Sign
(intransitive) To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
Token
An individual instance of a type of symbol;
The word`error' contains three tokens of `r'
Sign
(transitive) To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
Token
A metal or plastic disk that can be used (as a substitute for coins) in slot machines
Sign
To make the sign of the cross
Token
Something of sentimental value
Sign
(transitive) To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
Token
Insignificantly small; a matter of form only (`tokenish' is informal);
The fee was nominal
A token gesture of resistance
A tokenish gesture
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
What is a sign?
A sign is a symbol or object that communicates a specific message or information.
Can a token have multiple meanings?
Yes, depending on the context, tokens can represent different things, such as physical tokens for services or digital tokens for data security.
What is a token?
A token is an object or symbol that represents or stands for another entity, often carrying specific value or rights.
Where are tokens commonly used?
Tokens are commonly used in public transport, gaming arcades, and in digital security systems as part of authentication processes.
What are examples of natural signs?
Examples include smoke indicating fire or red sky at night hinting at fair weather.
How are signs designed?
Signs are designed to be clear, concise, and often follow standardized formats to ensure universal understanding.
What makes a token valuable?
The value of a token depends on the system it is used within, such as monetary value in transit systems or symbolic value in personal relationships.
What differentiates a token from currency?
Unlike currency, which is legal tender, tokens do not hold inherent monetary value and are restricted to specific contexts or systems.
What are linguistic signs?
In linguistics, signs are the fundamental units of meaning, such as words or phrases in a language.
How do signs function in daily life?
Signs function as guidance tools, providing directions, warnings, or information to facilitate understanding and safety.
How do signs aid in communication?
Signs reduce complexity by using universally recognizable symbols and formats to convey messages quickly and efficiently.
What is the historical importance of tokens?
Historically, tokens have been used as forms of currency, identity verification, and in various ceremonial or ritualistic capacities.
Are tokens always physical objects?
No, tokens can also be digital, such as tokens used in software programming or online authentication.
Can tokens function outside of their specific environment?
Typically, tokens cannot function outside their designated environment as their value or meaning is context-specific.
How do tokens enhance security in digital transactions?
Tokens mask sensitive information, providing a secure way to authenticate and process data without exposing the original details.
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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.
