The difference between Sign and Trail
When used as nouns, sign means a visible indication, whereas trail means the track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
When used as verbs, sign means to seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol, whereas trail means to follow behind (someone or something).
check bellow for the other definitions of Sign and Trail
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Sign as a noun (sometimes, also used uncountably):
A visible indication.
Examples:
"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."
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Sign as a noun (North America, AU, uncountable):
Physical evidence left by an animal.
Examples:
"The hunters found deer sign at the end of the trail."
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Sign as a noun:
A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
Examples:
"The sign in the window advertised a room for rent."
"I missed the sign at the corner so I took the wrong turn."
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Sign as a noun:
A wonder; miracle; prodigy.
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Sign as a noun (astrology):
An astrological sign.
Examples:
"Your sign is Taurus? That's no surprise."
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Sign as a noun (mathematics):
Positive or negative polarity. (Note: it is improper to place a sign on the number zero)
Examples:
"I got the magnitude right, but the sign was wrong."
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Sign as a noun:
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.
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Sign as a noun (uncountable):
Sign language in general.
Examples:
"Sorry, I don't know sign very well."
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Sign as a noun:
An omen.
Examples:
"It's a sign of the end of the world," the doom prophet said."
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Sign as a noun (medicine):
A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, is unlikely to be noticed by the patient.
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Sign as a noun:
A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
Examples:
"rfquotek Milton"
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Sign as a verb (transitive, now, _, rare):
To make a mark To seal (a document etc.) with an identifying seal or symbol. To mark, to put or leave a mark on. To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it. More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc. To write (one's name) as a signature. To write one's signature. To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc. To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
Examples:
"The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet."
"I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt."
"Just sign your name at the bottom there."
"I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’."
"Please sign on the dotted line."
"It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players."
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Sign as a verb (transitive):
To make the sign of the cross To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross. To cross oneself.
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Sign as a verb (intransitive):
To indicate To communicate using a gesture or signal. To communicate using gestures to (someone). To use sign language. To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
Examples:
"He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway."
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Trail as a verb (transitive):
To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
Examples:
"The hunters trailed their prey deep into the woods."
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Trail as a verb (transitive):
To drag (something) behind on the ground.
Examples:
"You'll get your coat all muddy if you trail it around like that."
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Trail as a verb (transitive):
To leave (a trail of).
Examples:
"He walked into the house, soaking wet, and trailed water all over the place."
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Trail as a verb (transitive):
To show a trailer of (a film, TV show etc.); to release or publish a preview of (a report etc.) in advance of the full publication.
Examples:
"His new film was trailed on TV last night."
"There were no surprises in this morning's much-trailed budget statement."
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Trail as a verb:
To be losing, to be behind in a competition.
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Trail as a verb (military):
To carry (a firearm) with the breech near the ground and the upper part inclined forward, the piece being held by the right hand near the middle.
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Trail as a verb:
To flatten (grass, etc.) by walking through it; to tread down.
Examples:
"rfquotek Longfellow"
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Trail as a verb (dated):
To take advantage of the ignorance of; to impose upon.
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Trail as a noun:
The track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
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Trail as a noun:
A route for travel over land, especially a narrow, unpaved pathway for use by hikers, horseback riders, etc.
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Trail as a noun:
A trailer broadcast on television for a forthcoming film or programme.
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Trail as a noun (graph theory):
A walk in which all the edges are distinct.