Sign Up vs. Signup – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “sign up” and “signup” hinges on their grammatical function. “Sign up” (two words) is a phrasal verb meaning to register or enroll. “Signup” (one word) is a noun referring to the act of registering or the registration itself, or an adjective describing something related to the act of registering.

Sign Up or Signup – Which is Correct?

Both “sign up” and “signup” are correct in American English, but they serve different grammatical roles. The core difference lies in their part of speech. “Sign up” is a phrasal verb, always written as two separate words, and describes the action of enrolling or registering for something. Conversely, “signup” is a single-word compound that functions as either a noun (referring to the event or act of registering) or an adjective (describing something associated with registration).

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To easily remember the difference, use the “action vs. thing” trick. If you are describing the action of registering, use the two-word phrasal verb “sign up”. If you are referring to the event, process, or result of registering (a noun), or describing something related to it (an adjective), use the one-word “signup”. Think: “I want to sign up (action) for the newsletter, so I’ll look for the signup (noun) form.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Sign up	Phrasal Verb	To register or enroll for something	Please sign up for the webinar by June 15, 2026.
Signup	Noun / Adjective	The act of registering; a registration / Related to registration	The event saw a record number of signups. / This is a signup bonus.

How to Use Sign Up

As a phrasal verb, “sign up” denotes the action of committing to participate in something, typically by adding one’s name to a list or completing a form. It implies an active choice to join or register. This verb is generally used in a casual to semi-formal tone and is very common in everyday language and digital contexts.

Example 1: “Many new users sign up for the free trial before committing to a subscription.”

Example 2: “Did you remember to sign up for the company’s annual picnic?”

Example 3: “The coach encouraged every player to sign themselves up for the summer league.”

What are the different forms of Sign Up?

Because “sign up” is a phrasal verb, the “sign” component conjugates like a regular verb, while “up” remains constant. The forms are:

• Present Simple: sign up (I sign up), signs up (he/she/it signs up)
• Present Participle/Gerund: signing up
• Past Simple: signed up
• Past Participle: signed up

Etymology of the word Sign Up

The word “sign” comes from the Old French signe, meaning “mark, token, omen,” which itself derived from the Latin signum, referring to a “mark, token, indication, symbol.” The particle “up” originates from Old English upp. Phrasal verbs, combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb that create a new meaning, developed over centuries in English. “Sign up” emerged as a specific phrasal verb to denote registration or enrollment, gaining widespread usage in the 20th century, particularly with the rise of formal registrations and digital platforms.

How to Use Signup

“Signup” (one word) functions as a noun, referring to the act of signing up, the registration itself, or the total number of people who have registered. It can also be used as an adjective to modify another noun, describing something related to the process of registration. It’s a common term in marketing, event planning, and user interface design.

Example 1: “The early bird signup period offers a significant discount.”

Example 2: “We’ve seen a surge in new customer signups this quarter.”

Example 3: “The website’s signup flow needs to be more user-friendly.”

What are the different forms of Signup?

As a noun, “signup” has a singular and plural form:

• Singular: signup (e.g., “a successful signup”)
• Plural: signups (e.g., “many signups”)

When used as an adjective (e.g., “signup bonus,” “signup form”), it does not change form.

Etymology of the word Signup

“Signup” is a compound word formed by nominalization, a process where a verb or phrasal verb is converted into a noun. It is a relatively modern term, solidifying its status as a single word (often initially hyphenated as “sign-up”) to refer specifically to the noun or adjective form related to the act of “signing up.” This linguistic shift is common in English, especially with the growth of technology and the need for concise terms to describe user actions and processes.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts helps solidify the correct usage of “sign up” and “signup.”

• Phrasal Verbs: These are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both) that, together, create a meaning different from the original verb alone. “Sign up” is a classic example, where “sign” (to write one’s name) combines with “up” to mean “to register.”
• Compound Nouns and Adjectives: A compound noun is a noun made up of two or more words that function as a single unit (e.g., “signup,” “breakthrough,” “software”). When “signup” acts as an adjective, it modifies another noun, like in “signup sheet” or “signup bonus.”

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Users can easily sign up for a free account by providing their email address.” (Technology news article, June 2026)
• “The event organizers were thrilled with the high number of early signups for the marathon.” (Local newspaper report, May 2026)
• “Before you can participate, you’ll need to complete the online signup process.” (Instruction manual for a new app, April 2026)
• “To receive exclusive content, readers are encouraged to sign up for the author’s newsletter.” (Promotional material for a book, March 2026)
• “The new policy aims to simplify the signup procedure for all government services.” (Government press release, February 2026)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. I need to ______ for the yoga class by Friday.
2. The website offers a generous ______ bonus for new members.
3. We saw a significant increase in ______s after launching the new campaign.
4. Don’t forget to ______ your children for summer camp.
5. The ______ form requires only basic information.

Answer Key

1. sign up
2. signup
3. signup
4. sign up
5. signup

Sign Up Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Register	To record one’s name on an official list.
Enroll	To officially join a course, organization, or group.
Subscribe	To arrange to receive something regularly, typically by paying in advance.
Join	To become a member of an organization or group.

Signup Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Registration	The act of registering or being registered.
Enrollment	The action of enrolling or being enrolled.
Subscription	The action of subscribing to something.
Application	A formal request to be considered for a position or to do something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “sign-up” (hyphenated) ever correct?
Yes, “sign-up” (hyphenated) is often used as a noun or adjective, particularly in British English or in more formal contexts where “signup” (one word) might be considered too informal. However, in American English, “signup” (one word) is increasingly preferred for the noun/adjective form, especially in digital contexts. Consistency within a document is key.

Question 2: Can “sign up” be separated by other words?
Yes, as a transitive phrasal verb, “sign up” can be separated by an object. For example, you can “sign someone up” or “sign yourself up.” When it’s intransitive (no direct object), it remains together, as in “I need to sign up.”

Question 3: What’s the easiest way to decide between “sign up” and “signup”?
Think about what you’re trying to convey. If it’s an action (what someone does), use the two-word verb “sign up.” If it’s a thing (the event, the form, the process, the result), use the one-word noun or adjective “signup.”

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between “sign up” and “signup” is straightforward once you understand their distinct grammatical roles. Remember that “sign up” (two words) is the verb, describing the action of registering, while “signup” (one word) is the noun or adjective referring to the registration itself or something related to it. Paying attention to these nuances ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

Pro Tip: Using the correct form not only demonstrates strong grammatical command but also enhances your professional credibility, especially in formal communications or when creating user-facing content.