signpost
signpost — noun
- signpostsingular
- signpostsplural
1. a tall board placed beside a street or path, especially where roads cross, that
a tall board placed beside a street or path, especially where roads cross, that tells people the names of nearby towns and how far away those places are
Emre checked the green signpost at the fork and turned left toward the coast.
The faded signpost near the village could barely be read after years of rain and wind.
passive: signpost could be read
A large brown signpost on the highway pointed drivers toward the national park entrance.
Rachel used the wooden signpost at the crossroads to find the quickest route to the lake.
2. something that provides a strong clue about what will come next or what the best
something that provides a strong clue about what will come next or what the best course of action should be
Falling sales figures were a clear signpost that the company needed to change its strategy.
collocation: a clear signpost that + clause
The new law is an important signpost showing how the government plans to tackle climate change.
For Beatrix, the scholarship offer was a signpost that her hard work had finally paid off.
Historians view the 1989 protests as a signpost on the road toward democracy in that region.
用法筆記
Frequently used with an adjective such as 'clear', 'important', or 'early' before the noun. The pattern 'a signpost that…' or 'a signpost for…' is common in formal writing and news reports.
signpost — verb
- signpostpresent simple I / you / we / they
- signposts3rd person singular
- signposting-ing form
- signpostedpast simple
1. to put up boards or markers along a route to help people find their way without
to put up boards or markers along a route to help people find their way without getting lost
The local walking club has signposted the coastal path with bright yellow arrows.
passive: has signposted [route] with [markers]
Hari noticed the forest trail was not well signposted, so he used a map on his phone.
The council plans to signpost the cycle route through the park before the summer holiday.
Lukas and Minh spent an afternoon signposting the mountain path with painted wooden posts.
文法句型
signpost + noun phrase (the road / the trail)
用法筆記
This sense is most common in British English. In American English 'marked' or 'signed' is more typical. Often used in the passive: 'the route is well signposted'.
2. to make clear how a situation will unfold or what course it should take — for ex
to make clear how a situation will unfold or what course it should take — for example, early election results hinting at the final winner or a new study pointing toward a medical breakthrough
Professor Okonkwo's research signposted the way for a whole new field of medical treatment.
pattern: signpost + the way for + noun phrase
The government's spending plans are signposted by several key announcements made last week.
Adaeze's early paintings signposted the bold style she would later become famous for.
Rising temperatures in the Arctic signpost a shift in global weather patterns over the coming decades.
- indicate
more general; 'signpost' adds a sense of clarity and intended direction
- foreshadow
focuses on predicting, whereas 'signpost' also suggests guiding toward a desired outcome
文法句型
signpost + noun phrase (the direction / the way)
be signposted by + noun
用法筆記
Common in academic, business, and political contexts. Often used with 'the way for', 'the direction of', or 'how / what / where' clauses. Frequently found in the passive voice.
3. to send or point a person toward the right organization, service, or professiona
to send or point a person toward the right organization, service, or professional who can give them the help or information they need
The community worker signposted the family to a local food bank and a housing advice centre.
pattern: signpost + someone + to + [organisation]
Patients who do not need urgent care are signposted to their local pharmacy for advice.
Diego called the helpline and was signposted to a free legal advice service for immigrant workers.
School counsellors often signpost teenagers to mental health support groups in the community.
文法句型
signpost + someone + to + organization
用法筆記
Common in British public services, healthcare, and social work. The person doing the signposting does not provide the help themselves; they tell the person where to go. 'Refer' is a near synonym but implies a more formal or official transfer of care.