Sign vs. Indication: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
A sign is a visible or observable symbol or action representing information, while an indication is a clue or piece of evidence suggesting something may happen or be true.
Key Differences
A sign is often a clear, tangible marker that conveys specific information or instructions. For example, road signs provide directions or warnings to drivers. Signs can be visual, auditory, or physical manifestations that are easily recognized and understood. On the other hand, an indication is more subtle and indirect, often requiring interpretation. It can be a hint or a symptom that suggests a condition or future event, such as dark clouds being an indication of impending rain.
Signs are explicit and designed to communicate a clear message. They are often standardized for easy recognition, such as traffic signs, medical signs (like the red cross), or symbolic gestures (like a thumbs up). Indications, however, are not always intended as direct communication. They can be inferred from various signs, behaviors, or environmental cues. For example, a patient's fever and cough are indications of a possible infection.
In a medical context, a sign is a clinical manifestation observed by a healthcare professional, like a rash or swelling. An indication in this context refers to a reason for using a particular treatment or medication, such as a specific symptom suggesting the need for a certain drug.
The purpose of a sign is often to provide direct guidance, instruction, or information. For instance, a stop sign instructs drivers to halt. An indication, however, often serves as a guide for further investigation or action. For example, high inflation rates may be an indication of economic instability.
Signs are often concrete and measurable, whereas indications are more abstract and inferential. A sign can be a definitive marker (e.g., a "For Sale" sign in front of a house), while an indication might suggest potential interest or future action (e.g., inquiries about the house).
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Visible or observable symbol/action
Clue or evidence suggesting something
Clarity
Clear and tangible
Subtle and indirect
Communication
Direct message
Suggests a condition or event
Contextual Example
Road signs, medical signs
Symptoms, hints, environmental cues
Purpose
Provide guidance/instruction
Guide for further investigation
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Sign and Indication Definitions
Sign
A visible symbol conveying information.
The stop sign instructed the driver to halt.
Indication
Evidence pointing to a possible condition.
A high fever is an indication of infection.
Sign
An observable action or gesture.
She gave a thumbs-up sign to show approval.
Indication
A reason for taking specific action.
Persistent pain is an indication for further medical tests.
Sign
An explicit marker or indicator.
The For Sale sign was placed in front of the house.
Indication
A hint or clue suggesting something.
Dark clouds are an indication of impending rain.
Sign
Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality
A high temperature is a sign of fever.
Indication
A subtle sign requiring interpretation.
His hesitation was an indication of uncertainty.
Sign
An act or gesture used to convey an idea, a desire, information, or a command
Gave the go-ahead sign.
Indication
A symptom suggesting a future event.
Economic indicators can be indications of market trends.
Sign
Sign language.
Indication
The act of indicating
His indication of refusal came in the form of a frown.
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.
Indication
Something that serves to indicate; a sign
Indications of an economic recovery.
Sign
A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command
An EXIT sign above a door.
A traffic sign.
Indication
Something indicated as necessary or expedient
Bed rest is usually the indication for flu cases.
Sign
A conventional figure or device that stands for a word, phrase, or operation; a symbol, as in mathematics or in musical notation.
Indication
The information indicated by a measuring instrument.
Sign
Pl. sign An indicator, such as a dropping or footprint, of the trail of an animal
Looking for deer sign.
Indication
Act of pointing out or indicating.
Sign
A trace or vestige
No sign of life.
Indication
That which serves to indicate or point out; mark; token; sign; symptom; evidence.
There's no indication that the fire was caused by criminals.
All the indications point to drink-driving as the cause of the accident.
Sign
A portentous incident or event; a presage
Took the eclipse as a sign from God.
Indication
Discovery made; information.
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.
Indication
(obsolete) Explanation; display.
Sign
One of the 12 divisions of the zodiac, each named for a constellation and represented by a symbol.
Indication
(medicine) Any symptom or occurrence in a disease, which serves to direct to suitable remedies.
Sign
To affix one's signature to
Signed the letter.
Indication
(finance) An declared approximation of the price at which a traded security is likely to commence trading.
Sign
To write (one's signature)
Signed her name to the contract.
Indication
Act of pointing out or indicating.
Sign
To approve or ratify (a document) by affixing a signature, seal, or other mark
Sign a bill into law.
Indication
That which serves to indicate or point out; mark; token; sign; symptom; evidence.
The frequent stops they make in the most convenient places are plain indications of their weariness.
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.
Indication
Discovery made; information.
Sign
To relinquish or transfer title to by signature
Signed away all her claims to the estate.
Indication
Explanation; display.
Sign
To provide with a sign or signs
Sign a new highway.
Indication
Any symptom or occurrence in a disease, which serves to direct to suitable remedies. Opposite of contraindication.
Sign
To communicate with a sign or signs
Signed his approval with a nod.
Indication
Something that serves to indicate or suggest;
An indication of foul play
Indications of strain
Symptoms are the prime indicants of disease
Sign
To express (a word or thought, for example) in a sign language
Signed her reply to the question.
Indication
The act of indicating or pointing out by name
Sign
To consecrate with the sign of the cross.
Indication
(medicine) a reason to prescribe a drug or perform a procedure;
The presence of bacterial infection was an indication for the use of antibiotics
Sign
To make a sign or signs; signal.
Indication
Something (as a course of action) that is indicated as expedient or necessary;
There were indications that it was time to leave
Sign
To communicate in a sign language.
Indication
A datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument;
He could not believe the meter reading
The barometer gave clear indications of an approaching storm
Sign
To write one's signature.
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.
Sign
Physical evidence left by an animal.
The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail.
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.
Sign
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
Sign
(astrology) An astrological sign.
Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise.
Sign
(mathematics) Positive or negative polarity, as denoted by the + or - sign.
I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong.
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.
Sign
(uncountable) Sign language in general.
Sorry, I don't know sign very well.
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)]].
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
Sign
A physical manifestation used for communication.
The red cross sign indicates medical assistance.
Sign
A standard symbol used for instructions.
Road signs help manage traffic flow.
FAQs
What is an example of a sign?
A stop sign is a clear example of a sign providing instruction to drivers.
Can a sign be non-visual?
Yes, signs can be auditory or physical, not just visual.
Is an indication always clear?
No, indications are often subtle and require interpretation.
Do signs always provide explicit information?
Yes, signs are designed to communicate specific, clear messages.
How are indications used in healthcare?
Indications in healthcare refer to reasons for using a particular treatment or medication.
What is an indication?
An indication is a clue or piece of evidence suggesting something may happen or be true.
What is a sign?
A sign is a visible or observable symbol or action representing information.
What is an example of an indication?
Dark clouds are an indication of impending rain.
Are indications more abstract than signs?
Yes, indications are generally more abstract and inferential.
What is an economic indication?
Economic indications are data points suggesting trends, like high inflation indicating economic instability.
How are signs used in healthcare?
In healthcare, signs are clinical manifestations observed by professionals, like a rash or swelling.
What role do signs play in daily life?
Signs provide guidance, instructions, and information in daily activities.
Can signs be measured?
Yes, signs are often concrete and measurable.
Do indications require further investigation?
Yes, indications often guide further investigation or action.
Can a single symptom be both a sign and an indication?
Yes, a single symptom can act as a sign (observable) and an indication (suggestive of a condition).
What is a symbolic sign?
A symbolic sign is a gesture or object that represents an idea or message, like a peace sign.
Can signs be standardized?
Yes, many signs, like traffic signs, are standardized for easy recognition.
What role do indications play in decision-making?
Indications help guide decisions by suggesting possible conditions or future events.
Are indications definitive?
No, indications are suggestive and require interpretation.
How do signs and indications differ in use?
Signs provide direct, clear messages or instructions, while indications offer subtle clues that suggest further investigation or interpretation.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
