A signer is someone who signs something, whether that's a document, a letter, or a form. When the Founding Fathers put their names on the Declaration of Independence in 1776, they became the signers of that historic document. When your parent signs a permission slip for a field trip, they're the signer giving approval for you to go.

The word can also refer to someone who uses sign language to communicate. A skilled signer can express complex thoughts, tell jokes, and have complete conversations using hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements instead of spoken words. Deaf communities around the world have rich sign languages, like American Sign Language (ASL), that work just as well as spoken languages for sharing ideas and connecting with others.

When you sign your name on a birthday card or a library card application, you become the signer of that item. The act of signing shows agreement, approval, or simply that you were there. Historical signers often took real risks: signing the Declaration of Independence meant committing treason against Britain, which could have cost them their lives.