gesture
gestures; gestured; gesturing
The thing to remember about gesture, whether you're using it as a verb or a noun, is that not only is it a movement of the hands or body, but it's also a movement that has some meaning, intention, or emotion behind it.
When you use gesture, you are entering into a whole history of human communication, because there is no language that exists entirely without gesture (a fun fact to bring up at parties). People can't communicate without gesture. It's so connected to intention that there is a phrase "empty gesture," used to mean an action or movement that is without genuine feeling.
Definitions of gesture
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motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
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the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
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synonyms:
motion
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types:
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sign
a gesture that is part of a sign language
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gesticulation
a deliberate and vigorous gesture or motion
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beck
a beckoning gesture
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facial expression, facial gesture
a gesture executed with the facial muscles
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flourish
a showy gesture
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high-five
a gesture of greeting or elation; one person's upraised palm slaps the upraised palm of another person
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previous question
a motion calling for an immediate vote on the main question under discussion by a deliberative assembly
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shrug
a gesture involving the shoulders
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wafture, wave, waving
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
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V sign
a sign (for victory); making a V with the index and middle fingers
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nod
a sign of assent or salutation or command
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bow, bowing, obeisance
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
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sign of the cross
a gesture with the right hand moving to form a cross; used by Catholics as a profession of faith
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curtsey, curtsy
bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
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emoticon
a representation of a facial expression (as a smile or frown) created by typing a sequence of characters in sending email
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gape
an expression of openmouthed astonishment
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face, grimace
a contorted facial expression
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frown, scowl
a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
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grin, grinning, smile, smiling
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
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laugh
a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing
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snarl
an angry vicious expression
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straight face
a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement
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wink
closing one eye quickly as a signal
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wince
the facial expression of sudden pain
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brandish, flourish
the act of waving
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genuflection, genuflexion
the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence
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kotow, kowtow
a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
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scrape, scraping
a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility)
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salaam
a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
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type of:
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visual communication
communication that relies on vision
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something done as an indication of intention“a political gesture”“a gesture of defiance”
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types:
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beau geste
a gracious (but usually meaningless) gesture
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type of:
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indicant, indication
something that serves to indicate or suggest
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beau geste
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show, express, or direct through movement“He gestured his desire to leave”
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synonyms:
gesticulate, motion
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types:
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wink
signal by winking
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exsert, extend, hold out, put out, stretch forth, stretch out
thrust or extend out
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shrug
raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation
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clap, spat
clap one's hands together
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acclaim, applaud, clap, spat
clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
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bless, sign
make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate
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nod
express or signify by nodding
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cross oneself
make the sign of the cross; in the Catholic religion
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bow, bow down
bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head
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shake
shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state
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beckon, wave
signal with the hands or nod
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hyperextend
extend a joint beyond its normal range
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bravo
applaud with shouts of `bravo' or `brava'
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conge, congee
perform a ceremonious bow
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type of:
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communicate, intercommunicate
transmit thoughts or feelings
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘gesture'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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