Standard Lemma guide

signwriting

name · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈsaɪnˈɹaɪ.tɪŋ/
  • rhymes with -aɪnɹaɪtɪŋ
  • homophone: signwriting
  • homophone: SignWriting

1

name

Meaning 1

An iconic writing system used to depict sign languages.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Sutton SignWriting

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any form of clear lettering designed to be used on signs.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The art or process of writing signs.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Compound of sign + writing. The writing system was invented in 1974 by Valerie Sutton.

Compound of sign + writing.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Portuguese: SignWriting — iconic writing system for sign languages
  • Chinese Mandarin: 招牌文字 (zhāopái wénzì) — lettering
  • Finnish: tekstaus — lettering
  • Chinese Mandarin: 寫招牌 /写招牌 — art or process
  • Chinese Mandarin: 写招牌 (xiě zhāopái) — art or process
  • Finnish: kylttien kirjoitus — art or process