expressive gestures
Hands that speak
Expressive gestures are movements of the hands, face, or body that convey emotion, emphasis, or meaning.
The phrase appears most often in descriptions of communication style: She spoke with expressive gestures, His expressive gestures made the story come alive.
Some cultures and individuals gesture more than others.
In dance and theater, expressive gestures are choreographed movements meant to communicate feeling to an audience.
- crossed fingersSuperstitious hope gesture
- beckonSignal to approach
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
fist bump · frown · raised fist · thumbs-up · flourish · smile · dance · pantomime · slow clap · double take · jazz hands · spirit fingers · grimace · high-five · wave · open arms · finger-pointing · finger wagging
- sign languageAmerican Sign Language, British Sign Language, fingerspelling, ASL, handshape
expressive gesturesstillness
Complete lack of motion
immobility · motionlessness · holding still · sitting on one's hands · crossed arms
expressive gesturespoker face
Intentionally expressionless look
expressive gesturesreserved manner
Restrained, formal bearing