To formally end a communication, broadcast, or document; or to give official approval to something.
To say goodbye at the end of a letter or broadcast, or to officially say 'yes, this is done/approved.'
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To end a letter, email, or broadcast, typically with a closing word or signature.
"She signed off with 'Best regards' and hit send."
This is Walter Cronkite. Good night.
— Walter Cronkite, CBS Evening News sign-off (paraphrased from his standard sign-off)
To give official approval or authorization for something (often 'sign off on').
"The manager needs to sign off on any expense over five hundred pounds."
(British English) To receive a doctor's signed certificate stating you are unfit for work.
"He was signed off for two weeks with stress and exhaustion."
To write (sign) your name at the bottom (off) of a document — indicating it is finished.
To say goodbye at the end of a letter or broadcast, or to officially say 'yes, this is done/approved.'
Has multiple senses: ending a letter or broadcast (neutral, common), giving official approval (professional), or in British English, receiving a doctor's signed note for sick leave. The phrase 'sign off on' is used for the approval sense. Common in both British and American English.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "sign off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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