gesticulation
Expressive hand movements
Gesticulation is the use of emphatic hand and arm movements while speaking.
Where gesture covers any expressive motion, gesticulation suggests vigorous or theatrical movements—the kind that might knock over a wine glass: His gesticulation grew wilder as he described the accident.
The word often carries a faintly comic tone, implying someone is being overly dramatic.
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- wavingSweeping hand gesture
- flailingUncontrolled limb movement
- beckoningGesturing for approach
pointing · shrugging · nodding · signing · finger-wagging · motioning · signaling · body-language
Full of life, or drawn moving
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- emphaticExpressed with force
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
- vigorousHaving great physical energy
forceful · dramatic · vehement · fervent · passionate · intense · wild · frantic
Not using speech
- silentProducing no sound
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- visualOf or concerning sight
- supplementaryServing to complete
illustrating · explaining · describing · indicating · conveying · expressing · emphasizing · reinforcing
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- actingTemporarily holding position
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
presentation · storytelling · declamation · preaching · lecturing
mime
Wordless expressive performer
beckoning · pointing · shrugging · nodding · signing · finger-wagging · motioning · signaling · body-language · charades
animated
Full of life, or drawn moving
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- emphaticExpressed with force
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
vigorous · forceful · dramatic · vehement · fervent · passionate · intense · wild · frantic · agitated
nonverbal
Not using speech
supplementary · illustrating · explaining · describing · indicating · conveying · expressing · emphasizing · reinforcing · clarifying
theatrical
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- actingTemporarily holding position
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
rhetoric · presentation · storytelling · declamation · preaching · lecturing
- gestureshand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder, snap fingers
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
gesticulationstillness
Complete lack of motion
immobility · motionlessness · repose · rest · inertia
gesticulationverbal communication
Exchange through spoken language
speech · written word · silence · taciturnity · reserve
gesticulationrestraint
Control over impulses
understatement · impassivity · deadpan delivery · stoicism · poker face