gesticulating
Waving arms expressively
Gesticulating is making emphatic hand and arm movements while speaking, often to illustrate or emphasize a point.
The word suggests animated, expressive motion—someone gesticulating isn't just moving their hands but using their whole upper body to communicate: He was gesticulating wildly as he described the accident.
The term can imply excessive or theatrical movement.
Inscribing one's name
- sign-languageCommunication through gestures
- nonverbalNot using speech
- body-languagePhysical signals conveying meaning
- indicatingShowing or pointing to
conveying · expressing · emphasizing · illustrating · demonstrating · explaining · directing · instructing
Drama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
flamboyant · lively · energetic · dramatic · expressive · emphatic · vivacious · spirited
One who directs musicians
- flaggerConstruction zone traffic controller
- orchestralFor a symphony ensemble
- batonSlender rod for leading
- marshallingOrganizing into proper order
guiding · commanding · coordinating · instructing · cueing · leading · signaling · directing
signing
Inscribing one's name
- sign-languageCommunication through gestures
- nonverbalNot using speech
- body-languagePhysical signals conveying meaning
indicating · conveying · expressing · emphasizing · illustrating · demonstrating · explaining · directing · instructing · interpreting
pantomime
Drama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- mimeWordless expressive performer
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
exaggerated · flamboyant · lively · energetic · dramatic · expressive · emphatic · vivacious · spirited · demonstrative
conductor
One who directs musicians
- flaggerConstruction zone traffic controller
- orchestralFor a symphony ensemble
- batonSlender rod for leading
marshalling · guiding · commanding · coordinating · instructing · cueing · leading · signaling · directing · umpire
- gestureshand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder, snap fingers
- erratic motionthrashing, flailing, jerking, lurching, twitching
gesticulatingstanding still
Absence of motion
motionless · immobile · still · stationary · frozen
gesticulatinguncommunicative
Unwilling to share thoughts
incommunicative · inexpressive · unexpressive · impassive · stonefaced