signals
signals — 名詞
- signalssingular
- signalsesplural
1. A deliberate action, movement, sound, or object used to send information, give a
信號；訊號
傳遞訊息或命令的動作
A deliberate action, movement, sound, or object used to send information, give a warning, or tell someone what to do.
Andrei raised his hand as a signal to get the teacher's attention.
Andrei 舉起手作為信號，想要引起老師的注意。
signal + to-infinitive shows purpose
The lifeguard blew a whistle as a signal for everyone to leave the water.
救生員吹哨作為信號，要大家離開水面。
signal + for + noun + to-infinitive
Sofia saw the smoke from the hilltop and knew it was a signal for help.
Sofia 看到山丘上的煙霧，知道那是求救信號。
The referee gave a clear signal that the match was about to begin.
裁判發出明確的信號，表示比賽即將開始。
文法句型
signal + of + noun
signal + to-infinitive
signal + that-clause
用法筆記
Often used with verbs like give, send, make, or flash. The preposition for introduces the recipient or purpose.
常見錯誤
2. A light on a vehicle that flashes to show that the driver intends to turn left o
方向燈
車輛上表示轉彎的燈號
A light on a vehicle that flashes to show that the driver intends to turn left or right.
Omar checked his mirrors and put on his left turn signal before changing lanes.
Omar 看了一下後視鏡，然後打了左方向燈準備變換車道。
turn signal as noun phrase for vehicle light
The car in front of Jenna stopped suddenly without using any turn signals at all.
Jenna 前面那輛車完全沒打方向燈就突然停了下來。
Kabir's turn signal was broken, so he used hand gestures to indicate a right turn.
Kabir 的方向燈壞了，所以他用手勢表示要右轉。
It is against the law to change lanes without activating your turn signal first.
變換車道不打方向燈是違法的。
文法句型
turn signal
indicator
用法筆記
Also called an indicator in British English. In everyday conversation, Americans often say blinker.
常見錯誤
3. A flow of energy in the form of waves or pulses that transmits sound, images, or
訊號；電波
傳送聲音、影像或資料的電波
A flow of energy in the form of waves or pulses that transmits sound, images, or data between a sender and a receiver.
The mountain blocked the radio signal, so Dario could not call for help.
山擋住了無線電訊號，Dario 無法求救。
signal + verb: can be blocked, lost, or received
Sofia adjusted the antenna on the roof to get a stronger television signal.
Sofia 調整了屋頂上的天線，以便接收更強的電視訊號。
Wi-Fi signals can pass through walls but become weaker over long distances.
Wi-Fi 訊號可以穿透牆壁，但距離遠了就會變弱。
The satellite sends a signal back to Earth carrying weather information every minute.
衛星每秒鐘都會傳送氣象訊號回到地球。
- transmission
focuses on the act of sending, not the waves themselves
- wave
technical term for the physical pattern in which a signal travels
文法句型
radio signal
signal strength
signal + is + adjective
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives describing the type of transmission: radio signal, digital signal, Wi-Fi signal. Signal strength describes how well the signal can be received.
常見錯誤
4. An event, condition, or piece of evidence that reveals the existence of somethin
跡象；徵兆
顯示某事可能發生的徵兆
An event, condition, or piece of evidence that reveals the existence of something or makes a future event seem likely.
Rising food prices are often a signal of broader economic problems ahead.
糧食價格上漲往往是整體經濟出現問題的跡象。
signal + of + noun phrase showing what is indicated
The early arrival of migrating birds is a clear signal that spring has begun.
候鳥提早抵達，是春天已經來臨的明顯徵兆。
Min took the manager's silence as a signal that the proposal had been rejected.
Min 把經理的沉默視為提案已被否決的跡象。
Falling stock prices sent a worrying signal to investors around the world.
股價下跌向全球投資人發出了令人擔憂的訊號。
- sign
more general and can be natural; does not imply a deliberate message
- indication
more formal; focuses on what can be inferred from evidence
- hint
a subtle signal; less direct and often incomplete
文法句型
signal + of + noun
signal + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is often used with verbs like send, receive, take something as, or be a. Unlike noun sense 1, this signal is not a deliberate act — it is something that can be interpreted from events.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Dark clouds are a sign of rain.' — This is correct as a natural indication, but 'signal' in this sense can be used similarly. The difference is that 'sign' is neutral, while 'signal' often implies something interpreted by people.
5. A set of lights or mechanical signs placed on roads or railways to tell drivers
號誌；紅綠燈
道路上指示行車的燈光設備
A set of lights or mechanical signs placed on roads or railways to tell drivers or trains when to stop, go, or slow down.
Jason stopped at the traffic signal and waited for the light to turn green.
Jason 在號誌前停下，等待綠燈亮起。
traffic signal as noun phrase
The railway signals showed a red light, so the train reduced speed immediately.
鐵路號誌顯示紅燈，火車隨即減速。
Sade waited at the pedestrian crossing until the traffic signal flashed the walk sign.
Sade 在行人穿越道前等待，直到交通號誌亮出行人通行標誌。
The city installed new traffic signals at every intersection along the main road.
市政府在主幹道的每個路口都安裝了新的交通號誌。
- traffic light
the common everyday term, especially in American English
- stoplight
informal American English term
- lights
shortened everyday form: 'turn left at the lights'
文法句型
traffic signals
railway signals
用法筆記
In American English, traffic lights and stoplights are more common in casual speech. Traffic signal is the formal term used in official documents and road regulations.
常見錯誤
signals — 動詞
- signalspresent simple I / you / we / they
- signalses3rd person singular
- signalsing-ing form
- signalsedpast simple
1. To use a gesture, sound, flash, or other action to convey information or give an
發信號；示意
用動作或聲音傳達訊息
To use a gesture, sound, flash, or other action to convey information or give an instruction to someone.
The coach signalled to the players that it was time to switch positions.
教練對球員們示意，表示該交換守備位置了。
signal + to + noun + that-clause
Ilan signalled for a taxi by raising his arm above his head at the curb.
Ilan 站在路邊高舉手臂，示意要攔計程車。
signal + for + noun (request)
The ship signalled its location by sending three short flashes of light.
那艘船閃了三次光，以信號告知自己的位置。
Liam blew his whistle and signalled the runners to cross the finish line.
Liam 吹了哨子，示意跑者衝過終點線。
文法句型
signal + to + noun
signal + that-clause
signal + noun
signal + for + noun + to-infinitive
用法筆記
When the receiver is mentioned, use signal to + person. When the purpose is stated, use signal for + thing. The transitive form takes a direct object (signal an order, signal a turn).
常見錯誤
2. To make it known, by words or actions, that you intend to do something or that a
表明；顯示
以言語或行動表示意圖
To make it known, by words or actions, that you intend to do something or that a particular change is coming.
The company signalled that it planned to hire three hundred new workers next year.
該公司表明計畫在明年增聘三百名新員工。
signal + that-clause for corporate intention
Soraya signalled her willingness to lead the project by volunteering for the role.
Soraya 主動請纓擔任專案負責人，表明她願意帶領團隊。
signal + noun phrase showing readiness
The prime minister's speech signalled a major shift in the country's foreign policy.
總理的演說顯示該國的外交政策將出現重大轉變。
Jenna put on her coat and grabbed her bag, signalling she was ready to leave.
Jenna 穿上外套並拿起包包，示意她準備要離開了。
- announce
more direct and explicit; always involves words, not actions
- indicate
suggests something is shown indirectly rather than stated openly
- demonstrate
emphasises showing through action or evidence
文法句型
signal + that-clause
signal + noun
signal + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in business and political contexts. Unlike verb sense 1, this sense does not require a physical gesture — the signalling can be done through statements, decisions, or visible changes in behaviour.
常見錯誤
signals — 形容詞
- signalspositive
- more signalscomparative
- most signalssuperlative
1. Very noticeable and important; standing out from what is ordinary or expected.
顯著的
引人注目且異於平常的
Very noticeable and important; standing out from what is ordinary or expected.
Winning the award was a signal honour for the young scientist and her team.
獲得該獎項對這位年輕科學家與她的團隊而言，是一項顯著的榮譽。
attributive use before abstract nouns like honour, achievement, failure
The book marked a signal achievement in the field of modern architecture.
這本書標誌著現代建築領域的一項顯著的成就。
The army suffered a signal defeat that changed the course of the war entirely.
那支軍隊遭遇了一場顯著的慘敗，徹底改變了戰爭的走向。
There has been a signal lack of progress on the issue since the negotiations began.
自談判開始以來，該問題的進展顯著不足。
- notable
the closest synonym; less formal and more versatile
- remarkable
emphasises that something is worth noticing because it is unusual
- outstanding
emphasises excellence or superiority
- ordinary
unremarkable; not standing out
- unremarkable
not notable; lacking distinction
文法句型
signal + noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive). It appears mostly in formal writing and with abstract nouns such as honour, achievement, failure, triumph, or lack. Do not use in casual conversation.