the signatory

USAGE SUMMARY

"the signatory" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a person or entity that has signed a document or agreement. For example, "The signatory agrees to the terms outlined in the contract." Alternative expressions include "the signer" and "the party signing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it needs to develop and implement accreditation process as par the signatory countries.

Procedia Engineering

He was referring to the signatory powers of what the Germans call the "Versailles Dictation".

The New York Times

The signatory list on this letter was amended on 3 February 2017.

The Guardian

The signat script is used to look up the signatory status of people and student groups.

University of California, Berkeley

The signatory list on this letter was amended on 12 February 2019 to remove two duplicates.

The Guardian

Simply put, it would require the signatory countries to agree to enforce legal judgments handed down in other countries.

The Economist

The signatory countries will meet next month in Bonn to search for ways to save an agreement with some teeth.

The New York Times

A name was removed at the request of the signatory, who had not agreed to appearing among those who signed.

The Guardian

It gets help from various institutions in the signatory states, among others from the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory.

University of California, Berkeley

I heard Holbrooke explain this line of reasoning in a meeting with the ambassadors from the signatory nations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Any amendment must be approved by a majority of all the signatory states, including all three of the original parties.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or diplomatic drafting, be precise about whether you mean an individual person or the larger party they represent by using qualifiers like "the signatory nation" or "the individual signatory".

Common error

Do not use "the signatory" when you mean the signature itself. For example, write "The signature was illegible" rather than "The signatory was illegible", unless you are describing the person's physical state.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase "the signatory" functions primarily as a referential noun phrase. It serves to identify a specific actor—be it a person, a corporation, or a sovereign state—defined by the act of having signed a formal document. It functions as the subject or object in complex sentences dealing with legal obligations or historical records.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the signatory" is a robust and essential noun phrase in the English language, particularly within the realms of law, diplomacy, and academia. Data from Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is used with high frequency by world-class sources to denote an entity's formal participation in an agreement. While "the signer" may be used in casual contexts, "the signatory" remains the gold standard for professional writing. It is grammatically versatile, appearing as a reference to both individuals and nations, and it carries a weight of authority that is crucial for establishing clarity in contracts and treaties. Writers should use it confidently to convey precision and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the signatory party

Emphasizes the entity (person, company, or country) as a participant in a legal agreement.

the signer

A more general and less formal term suitable for everyday contexts.

the undersigned

Commonly used in formal letters or petitions to refer to the person whose name appears at the end.

the person signing

A plain English description that avoids legal jargon.

the subscribing party

Often used in the context of investment or membership agreements.

the contracting party

Specific to legal contracts, focusing on the obligations of the entity involved.

the signatory power

Refers to a nation or government with the authority to sign a treaty.

the participating nation

Specifies that the entity is a country, often in the context of international treaties.

the ratifying state

Refers specifically to a country that has formally approved a signed treaty.

the executioner of the document

A technical legal term referring to the person performing the act of signing.

FAQs

How to use "the signatory" in a sentence?

You can use it to identify the person or entity responsible for a signature, such as: "The document requires the approval of every "signatory party" involved in the merger."

What is the difference between "the signatory" and "the signer"?

While both refer to someone who signs, "the signer" is generally more informal, whereas "the signatory" often implies a formal commitment to a treaty, contract, or official declaration.

Can "the signatory" refer to a country?

Yes, it is very common in international law to refer to a country that has signed a treaty as a "signatory nation" or "signatory state".

Is it "the signatory of" or "the signatory to"?

Both are used, but "signatory to" is the preferred idiom when referring to agreements or treaties, such as being a "signatory to the Paris Agreement".