What does signboard mean?
A signboard is a board that carries a written or graphic sign, usually placed where the public can easily see it. It may identify a business, mark a building, direct visitors, or advertise a product or event. The word is common in British and American English and is especially associated with the traditional, sometimes decorative boards mounted above shopfronts, restaurants, cinemas, and pubs. Although “billboard” may occasionally be used for a very large signboard, the words are not interchangeable in general use: “signboard” tends to emphasize the physical board and its displayed message, while “billboard” specifically suggests a large outdoor advertising panel. A signboard can also serve as a conspicuous visual marker of a place, making it a familiar subject in descriptions of streets, storefronts, and local businesses.
nounA board bearing a sign or notice, typically displayed publicly to advertise a business, identify a location, or convey information.
- A fixed or freestanding board on which a sign, notice, advertisement, or identifying inscription is displayed.
"The old bookshop's signboard was repainted in bright blue and gold."
"A hand-painted signboard hangs above the entrance to the restaurant."
"The photograph captures the faded signboard on a former cinema."
The regular plural is used for individual boards displaying signs or advertisements.
"The market is lined with colorful signboards advertising local produce."
A signboard is both a message and a landmark: it tells you where you are while giving a street its visual identity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does signboard come from?
The word was formed in the early 19th century by combining “sign” with “board.” “Sign” comes through Old French signe from the Latin signum, meaning a mark, sign, or symbol, while “board” comes from Old English bord, referring to a plank or flat piece of material. Related English words such as “signature,” “signify,” and “signal” ultimately share the same Latin root signum.
How signboard is actually used
Generally neutral and widely used in British and American English. It most often refers to a relatively small board attached to a building or shop, whereas a billboard is typically a large outdoor advertising display.