pound sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pound sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the symbol "#" in contexts such as social media hashtags or telephone keypads. Example: "To find the topic you’re interested in, just type the pound sign followed by the keyword."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You know, with a pound sign.

The New York Times

Our pound sign has been a fantastically simple image.

The Guardian

Press the pound sign to hear these options again.

The New Yorker

Nigel, your official logo is a pound sign.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Its logo is an upside-down pound sign, not dissimilar to Ukip's purple and gold pound sign logo.

The Guardian

"At first, people who weren't using Twitter were saying: 'What's this pound sign?

The New York Times

You created a username and joined a channel, indicated by a pound sign: #politics, #sex, #computers.

The New Yorker

It turns out that it's a figure with a pound sign on the front.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that currency doesn't just come prefaced by a pound sign.

The Guardian - Opinion

A pound sign followed by a one with six zeros, one with six zeros, one with six zeros.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hence his recent decision to drop the party's long title and replace its pound-sign symbol.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing social media, specifically clarify that "pound sign" refers to the '#' symbol used to create hashtags for easy topic searches.

Common error

Avoid using the term "pound sign" when you actually mean the British pound currency symbol (£). While both are 'pound' related, they are distinct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pound sign" primarily functions as a noun, identifying a specific typographical symbol (#). Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase. It can also act as a descriptor within broader phrases.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pound sign" accurately and commonly refers to the '#' symbol used in various contexts, from telephone keypads to social media hashtags. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While often used interchangeably with terms like "hash symbol" and "number sign", it's crucial to distinguish it from the British pound currency symbol (£). It appears frequently in News & Media. Remember to use "pound sign" to describe the # symbol and avoid confusing it with currency symbols.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hash symbol

Refers to the same symbol but emphasizes its role as a symbol or character.

number sign

Another common name for the "pound sign", especially in American English.

the # symbol

Uses the word "symbol" and the actual symbol instead of the name.

hashtag symbol

Specifies the "pound sign's" use in social media hashtags.

the # character

Replaces "sign" with "character", emphasizing its nature as a written element.

octothorpe

A more formal and less common term for the "pound sign".

hash mark

An alternative term, often used in technical contexts.

weight symbol

Highlights a historical usage of the symbol to denote weight in pounds.

telephone key symbol

Highlights its use on telephone keypads.

numeric character

Focuses on its use within numeric contexts, such as telephone input.

FAQs

How is the "pound sign" used in social media?

In social media, the "pound sign", or #, is used to create hashtags. By placing the "pound sign" before a word or phrase, it becomes a searchable link, allowing users to easily find and follow discussions about specific topics.

What's another name for the "pound sign"?

The "pound sign" is also commonly referred to as the "hash symbol" or "number sign". In more technical contexts, it's known as an "octothorpe".

What is the origin of the "pound sign"?

The "pound sign" has various origins, including its use to denote weight in pounds and its adoption in early computer systems. Its modern use as a hashtag symbol gained popularity with the rise of social media platforms like Twitter.

Is the "pound sign" the same as the British pound currency symbol?

No, the "pound sign" (#) is different from the British pound currency symbol (£). The "pound sign" is used for hashtags and other technical purposes, while the pound currency symbol represents the currency of the United Kingdom.