Vocabulary · Places
Signs and notices in English
A2
Signs and notices in English: road signs, signs in public places, warnings, everyday instructions and shop signs, with the UK and US words. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Road signs
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Stop(phrase)“A stop sign.” | you must wait before you drive on | /stɒp/ |
| Yield(phrase) | let the other cars go first (US) | /jiːld/ |
| Give way(phrase) | let the other cars go first (UK) | /ɡɪv weɪ/ |
| No entry(phrase) | you cannot drive or go in here | /nəʊ ˈentri/ |
| One way(phrase) | cars can only go in this direction | /wʌn weɪ/ |
| Dead end / No through road(phrase) | a road with no way out | /ded end/ /nəʊ θruː rəʊd/ |
| Speed limit(phrase) | the fastest you are allowed to drive | /spiːd ˈlɪmɪt/ |
| Detour(n.) | a different road around a closed one | /ˈdiːtʊə/ |
| Road works(phrase) | workers are repairing the street here | /rəʊd wɜːks/ |
Public places
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance(n.) | the way into a building | /ˈentrəns/ |
| Exit(n.) | the door to leave a building | /ˈeksɪt/ |
| Way in(phrase) | the door to go in (UK) | /weɪ ɪn/ |
| Way out(phrase) | the door to leave (UK) | /weɪ aʊt/ |
| Emergency exit(phrase) | the door to use in a fire | /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈeksɪt/ |
| Pull / Push(phrase)“On doors.” | open towards you / open away from you | /pʊl/ /pʊʃ/ |
| No smoking(phrase) | cigarettes are not allowed here | /nəʊ ˈsməʊkɪŋ/ |
| Toilet / Restroom(n.)“Toilet (UK) / Restroom (US).” | the WC in a public place | /ˈtɔɪlət/ /ˈrestruːm/ |
| Out of order(phrase) | broken, it does not work | /aʊt əv ˈɔːdə/ |
Warnings
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Caution(n.) | be careful | /ˈkɔːʃn/ |
| Danger(n.) | something here can hurt you | /ˈdeɪndʒə/ |
| Warning(n.) | a message about a possible danger | /ˈwɔːnɪŋ/ |
| Wet floor(phrase) | be careful, you can slip | /wet flɔː/ |
| Mind the gap(phrase)“Famous London Underground announcement.” | be careful of the space by the train | /maɪnd ðə ɡæp/ |
| Beware of the dog(phrase) | a dangerous dog lives here | /bɪˈweə əv ðə dɒɡ/ |
| Keep out(phrase) | you must not go in | /kiːp aʊt/ |
| No trespassing(phrase) | private land: do not enter | /nəʊ ˈtrespəsɪŋ/ |
| High voltage(phrase) | very dangerous electricity | /haɪ ˈvəʊltɪdʒ/ |
Common instructions
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Please wait(phrase) | stay here until it is your turn | /pliːz weɪt/ |
| Closed(adj.) | you cannot go in now | /kləʊzd/ |
| Open(adj.) | you can go in now | /ˈəʊpən/ |
| Reserved(adj.) | kept for someone who booked | /rɪˈzɜːvd/ |
| Sold out(phrase) | none left to buy | /səʊld aʊt/ |
| Free entry(phrase) | you do not pay to go in | /friː ˈentri/ |
| No photography(phrase) | you cannot take photos here | /nəʊ fəˈtɒɡrəfi/ |
Shops
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Sale(n.)“On sale.” | prices are lower for a short time | /seɪl/ |
| Discount(n.) | a lower price | /ˈdɪskaʊnt/ |
| Buy one get one free(phrase) | two things for the price of one | /baɪ wʌn ɡet wʌn friː/ |
| Cash only(phrase) | you must pay with notes and coins | /kæʃ ˈəʊnli/ |
| Card only(phrase) | you cannot pay with notes and coins | /kɑːd ˈəʊnli/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Yield (US) or Give way (UK)?
Both mean “let the other cars go first”. Yield is the US word. Give way is the UK word. Same meaning, different words.
Mind = “think” ❌: here it means “be careful”
On signs, mind means “be careful of”. The famous London Underground announcement Mind the gap between the train and the platform means “be careful of the space between the train and the platform”. You also see Mind your head and Mind the step.
Toilet (UK) or restroom (US)?
In the UK, say toilet, or loo in informal speech. In the US, say restroom, bathroom, or ladies' room / men's room. In the US, Where are the toilets? can sound too direct: Where's the restroom? is more polite.
No smoke ❌: say No smoking
Signs that say something is not allowed use No + an -ing form or a noun: No smoking, No parking, No entry, No photography. These forms never change: not No smoke or No park.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common signs in English?+
The key road signs are Stop, Give way (UK) or Yield (US), No entry, One way and Speed limit. In buildings, look for Entrance and Exit. In shops, you often see Open, Closed, Sale and Sold out.
What is the difference between yield and give way?+
They mean the same thing: let the other cars go first. Yield is the word in the United States and Give way is the word in the United Kingdom. You see them on road signs and in the driving rules.
What does “Mind the gap” mean?+
It is the famous announcement on the London Underground. It means “be careful of the space between the train and the platform”, so that you do not fall. You also see it on signs in other places, to warn people about a space or a step.
Is it toilet, loo, restroom or bathroom?+
In the UK: toilet (the most direct), loo (informal), the ladies / the gents (on signs and in polite speech). In the US: restroom (in public places) and bathroom (in a home). In Canada, people also say washroom. To ask, say Where are the toilets, please? (UK) or Where's the restroom? (US).
How do signs say that something is not allowed?+
Signs often use No + a noun or an -ing form (the verb + -ing): No smoking, No parking, No entry, No photography, No trespassing. It is short, clear and strict.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/signs-and-notices
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.