signatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'signatory' is correct, and it is frequently used in written English.
It refers to a person or country who has signed a treaty, agreement, or contract. For example: The signatories of the Paris Agreement were committed to reducing carbon emissions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Journalist Amitava Kumar, a signatory to the letter, told the Guardian that he knows "a bunch of overdressed writers in a large room getting up to applaud or, for that matter, not applaud an award isn't going to change much in the world.

The Guardian - Books

Australia says Japan's claim that its whaling is purely for scientific purposes is a disguise for commercial whaling banned under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, to which Japan is a signatory.

The Guardian

Malaysia was not a signatory to the international refugee convention, PNG is.

The Guardian

Which parts of the several thousand pieces of EU legislation that are currently incorporated into our own statute law would be retained?" Conservative policy on the European convention on human rights "pays no regard whatsoever to its impact on the other signatory states", Grieve said.

The Guardian

An advanced devolutionist and critic of the Scottish parliament's failure to work in "a more consensual way", Christie remained an opponent of independence while becoming a signatory to the Campaign for Full Fiscal Responsibility.

The Guardian

The Queensland government is not a party to the World Heritage Convention and as such its decision-making will not adequately reflect the responsibilities of the Australian government as a signatory to the World Heritage Convention".

The Guardian

Iran is signatory to the international convenant of civil and political rights (ICCPR) which prohibits death penalty for convicts if their act of crime is committed while they were under the age of 18. HRW called on the judiciary, which is independent of the Iranian government, to reverse its decision.

The Guardian

The UK is a signatory to the World Health Organisation's framework convention on tobacco control, which was established to check the influence of tobacco companies and their front organisations.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

His co-signatory, Russia's then president, Dmitry Medvedev, had endorsed Global Zero's aims.

The Economist

Yet if a country, especially a non-signatory to such a pact, were actually hit by sanctions, it would have a strong case at the WTO.The broad answer remains that such disputes are about the environment and not about trade.

The Economist

The Non-Signatory Faction (NSF), a common front formed in late 2006 by most of the SLM leaders except Mr Minnawi, is effective only on paper.The principal SLM factions are:* Mr Minnawi, despite being named a senior assistant to the Sudanese president and head of the Darfur Transitional Authority, remains weak and isolated in the capital, Khartoum.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "signatory" when referring to the entity that signed the agreement, not to the agreement itself. The agreement is the document signed.

Common error

Avoid using "signatory" when you actually mean "signature". "Signatory" refers to the person or entity signing, while "signature" is the actual written name.

Linguistic Context

The word "signatory" functions primarily as a noun, referring to an individual, organization, or country that has signed an agreement, treaty, or document. Ludwig confirms its common usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "signatory" is frequently used as a noun to describe someone who has signed an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies those legally bound by the document's terms. It is commonly found in news, formal business, and science contexts, demanding a neutral to professional register. When writing, remember to differentiate between "signatory" and "signature", and to use the correct preposition "to" when referring to an agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

party to the agreement

Highlights the role as one of the entities involved in the accord.

undersigner

A more formal term for someone who signs a document.

contracting party

Highlights the legal aspect of being part of an agreement.

cosigner

Suggests signing alongside another party, often to guarantee an obligation.

endorser

Focuses on the act of giving approval and support, differing from simply signing.

ratifier

Emphasizes the act of formal approval, which is a step beyond merely signing.

covenantor

Specifically refers to someone who makes a formal promise in a covenant.

subscriber

Implies ongoing commitment, unlike a one-time signature.

adherent

Indicates a commitment to a set of beliefs or rules, rather than a specific agreement.

witness

Focuses on attesting to the signature, not necessarily being bound by the agreement.

FAQs

How to use "signatory" in a sentence?

You can use "signatory" to refer to a person, organization, or country that has signed an agreement. For example, "The United States is a "signatory" to the treaty."

What can I say instead of "signatory"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "endorser", "contracting party", or "ratifier".

Which is correct: "signatory of" or "signatory to"?

"Signatory to" is the more common and accepted usage when referring to an agreement or treaty. While "signatory of" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What is the difference between "signatory" and "party to the agreement"?

While both refer to entities involved in an agreement, "party to the agreement" is a broader term. "Signatory" specifically denotes an entity that has signed the agreement, whereas a "party" may be involved without having physically signed it.