1 B2 neutral
To formally transfer the legal ownership of property or assets to someone else by signing documents.
"She signed the family home over to her daughter before moving into a care facility."
separable
sign over
B2 neutral separable transitive
To formally transfer ownership or rights of something to another person by signing a legal document.
In plain English
To officially give something you own to someone else by signing a paper.
What does "sign over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To formally give control of a business or organization to another party.
"The founder signed the company over to a new management team when he retired."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To sign a document that passes something over to another person.
Actually means
To officially give something you own to someone else by signing a paper.
Usage tip
Common in legal, financial, and property contexts. The object is typically a property, business, asset, or set of rights. Usually followed by 'to' indicating the recipient. More formal than 'hand over'.
Words that pair with "sign over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
property business assets deed estate power of attorney
How to conjugate "sign over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sign over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
signs over
he/she/it
Past simple
signed over
yesterday
Past participle
signed over
have + pp
-ing form
signing over
continuous
Hear "sign over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sign over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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