signal
/ˈsɪɡnəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪɡnəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsig-nᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪɡ.nəl/ (ame, ipa)
signal — 名詞
- signalsingular
- signalsplural
1. a gesture, action, or sound used to pass information to someone, often to give i
訊號
傳遞訊息的手勢、動作或聲音
a gesture, action, or sound used to pass information to someone, often to give instructions or a warning
Rin raised her hand — a clear signal that she had found the trail.
Rin 舉起手——這是一個清楚的訊號，表示她已經找到路了。
signal + that-clause for giving information
The coach blew his whistle as a signal for the players to gather around.
教練吹響哨子，示意球員聚集過來。
signal + for + noun + to-infinitive
Dario gave the waiter a quick signal by holding up two fingers.
Dario 豎起兩根手指，快速給服務生一個訊號。
A flashing light on the dashboard is a signal that the engine needs a mechanic.
儀表板上閃爍的燈光是引擎需要找技師的訊號。
- gesture
focuses on the body movement, not the message it carries
- cue
a signal that tells someone to start doing something, especially in a performance or routine
- indication
a more general word that can be intentional or unintentional
文法句型
a signal + that-clause
a signal + for + noun + to-infinitive
give (somebody) a signal
用法筆記
Commonly followed by a that-clause (a signal that…) or a to-infinitive (a signal to stop). Unlike sign, a signal is always deliberately made by a person or device.
常見錯誤
2. one of the flashing lights on a car or other vehicle that shows which direction
方向燈
車輛上顯示轉彎方向的閃爍燈號
one of the flashing lights on a car or other vehicle that shows which direction the driver plans to turn
Sofia flicked on her left turn signal well before reaching the junction.
Sofia 在到達路口之前就早早打開了左邊方向燈。
use / activate a turn signal
William checked his mirrors and activated his turn signal before changing lanes on the highway.
William 在變換車道前檢查了後視鏡並啟動了方向燈。
The driver behind honked because Nila had forgotten to use her signal when turning right.
後方的車輛按喇叭，因為 Nila 右轉時忘了打方向燈。
A broken turn signal can get you a fine in most countries around the world.
方向燈故障在世界大多數國家都可能讓你收到罰單。
文法句型
use/put on a turn signal
用法筆記
In British English, 'indicator' is more common than 'turn signal'. Often shortened to just 'signal' in informal driving contexts ('Did you use your signal?').
常見錯誤
3. waves of energy sent through the air to transmit sounds, pictures, or other info
電波
傳送聲音或影像的無線電波
waves of energy sent through the air to transmit sounds, pictures, or other information to electronic devices like televisions, radios, and mobile phones
The television picture went fuzzy when the radio signal weakened during the storm.
暴風雨期間無線電訊號減弱，電視畫面變得模糊不清。
signal + weakens / loses strength
Élise climbed the hill with her phone held high, searching for a mobile signal.
Élise 爬上山丘，高舉手機尋找行動通訊訊號。
mobile signal / phone signal
The satellite signal was strong enough to broadcast the match live across five continents.
衛星訊號夠強，足以將比賽實況播送到五大洲。
Sivan adjusted the roof antenna to improve the radio signal from the station.
Sivan 調整屋頂天線，改善來自電臺的無線電訊號。
文法句型
signal + [adjective]
lose / pick up a signal
用法筆記
Subject is usually a type of signal (radio, TV, mobile, satellite). Frequently pairs with verbs like lose, pick up, strengthen, weaken, and block.
4. any observable fact or development that indicates another thing is present, happ
跡象
顯示某事物存在或將要發生的事件或資訊
any observable fact or development that indicates another thing is present, happening, or about to happen
Rising prices are often a signal that the economy is growing faster than expected.
物價上漲往往是經濟成長超出預期的跡象。
a signal + that-clause (indication)
Femi took his colleague's silence as a signal that nobody supported the proposal.
Femi 將同事的沉默視為沒人支持該提案的跡象。
take something as a signal
The company's decision to hire new staff is a strong signal of growth.
公司決定增聘人手，是強烈的成長跡象。
Early flowers in February are a hopeful signal that spring is arriving sooner this year.
二月提早開花，是春天今年比往年早到的可喜跡象。
文法句型
a signal + that-clause
a signal + of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to a deliberate communication (e.g. waving someone over), while sense 4 describes something that naturally indicates a condition or likelihood, often without anyone intending to send it.
常見錯誤
5. a device with coloured lights positioned next to a road or railway track to regu
號誌
路旁或鐵軌旁控制車輛行止的燈號設備
a device with coloured lights positioned next to a road or railway track to regulate the flow of cars or trains
The train slowed down as the railway signal ahead changed from green to red.
前方的鐵路號誌從綠燈轉為紅燈，火車於是減速慢行。
railway signal
Omar waited at the traffic signal for the light to turn green before crossing.
Omar 在交通號誌前等待綠燈亮起才過馬路。
traffic signal
Trains were held outside the station because red signals blocked the track.
紅燈號誌阻擋了軌道，列車都被擋在車站外。
The city installed new pedestrian signals at the busy intersection near the school.
市政府在學校附近的繁忙路口安裝了新的行人號誌燈。
- traffic light
the common everyday term for road signals
- stoplight
American informal term for a road traffic light
- lights
informal shortening ('turn left at the lights')
用法筆記
In road contexts, 'traffic light' is more common in everyday speech, while 'traffic signal' is the formal term used in official notices and regulations. On railways, 'signal' is the standard term.
常見錯誤
signal — 動詞
- signalpresent simple I / you / we / they
- signals3rd person singular
- signaling-ing form
- signaledpast simple
1. to use a gesture, light, or sound to send information or instructions to another
發訊號
用手勢、燈光或聲音傳達訊息或指令
to use a gesture, light, or sound to send information or instructions to another person or group
The lifeguard signalled to the swimmers to come back to the shore immediately.
救生員向泳者發出訊號，叫他們立刻游回岸邊。
signal + to + somebody + to-infinitive
Mathieu signalled the taxi by raising his arm above his head on the busy street.
Mathieu 在繁忙的街上高舉手臂，向計程車招手示意。
signal + noun (transitive, mainly British)
The referee signalled that the goal was valid by pointing to the centre.
裁判指向球場中央，示意進球有效。
Rin signalled for help by flashing her torch three times into the dark sky.
Rin 對著黑暗的天空閃了三次手電筒，發出求救訊號。
文法句型
signal + to + somebody + to-infinitive
signal + that-clause
signal + for + noun
signal + noun
用法筆記
Can be transitive ('signal somebody') or intransitive ('signal to somebody'). The transitive use is more common in British English; American English prefers 'signal to somebody' or 'signal that…'.
常見錯誤
2. to make clear to others that you plan to take a particular action or are prepare
示意
明確表達意圖或準備就緒的狀態
to make clear to others that you plan to take a particular action or are prepared for something
The company has signalled its intention to cut costs by closing three factories overseas.
該公司已示意將關閉三家海外工廠以削減成本。
signal + intention/readiness + to-infinitive
Chidi signalled he was ready to begin by standing up and walking to the screen.
Chidi 站起來走向螢幕，表示他準備好開始了。
signal + that-clause (intention)
By taking on extra work, Omar signalled his willingness to take more responsibility.
Omar 主動承擔額外工作，藉此表明他願意承擔更多責任。
The government is signalling to investors that the tax rules will stay unchanged.
政府正向投資者示意，稅務規定將維持不變。
- indicate
broader; can be unintentional. 'Signal' implies a deliberate message
- announce
more direct and formal; involves a clear statement rather than an implied message
- communicate
general term for sharing information by any means
文法句型
signal + that-clause
signal + intention/readiness/willingness + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This sense is more abstract than sense 1 — it is about conveying an intention or message through decisions or policies rather than through physical gestures. Common in business and political contexts.
常見錯誤
signal — 形容詞
- signalpositive
- more signalcomparative
- most signalsuperlative
1. standing out from the ordinary because of great importance, quality, or effect —
顯著的
因重要性或品質而格外突出（僅用於名詞前）
standing out from the ordinary because of great importance, quality, or effect — used only before a noun
The discovery of insulin was a signal achievement in the history of medicine.
胰島素的發現是醫學史上一項顯著的成就。
signal + achievement/success (formal, before noun)
There has been a signal lack of progress in the peace talks recently.
近來和平談判的進展明顯不足。
signal + lack of + noun (formal contrastive pattern)
Professor Hsu's research on early childhood education represents a signal contribution to the field.
許教授對幼兒教育的研究是該領域一項顯著的貢獻。
The team's victory was a signal success, especially after losing their best player to injury.
這支球隊在失去最佳球員後還能贏球，是一項顯著的成功。
- notable
less formal; can be used after a linking verb ('was notable')
- remarkable
similar in strength but can follow a linking verb
- striking
emphasises visual or immediate impact
- exceptional
suggests something is much better than average
- ordinary
the opposite of standing out; unremarkable
- insignificant
the opposite of important or meaningful
文法句型
signal + noun (before a noun, not after a linking verb)
用法筆記
Nearly always appears before a noun (attributive position). It is never used after a linking verb like be or seem. This is a formal word found in academic and journalistic writing, not in everyday conversation.