gesticulations
Animated hand motions
Gesticulations are emphatic movements of the hands and arms, typically made while speaking.
The word carries a slightly theatrical or excessive quality—someone who gesticulates isn't just using their hands, they're really using them: His wild gesticulations made it hard to follow what he was actually saying.
The singular gesticulation refers to a single such movement.
Sweeping hand gesture
- pointingDirecting attention somewhere
- flailingUncontrolled limb movement
- beckoningGesturing for approach
- shruggingShoulder gesture of uncertainty
nodding · hand-wringing · finger-wagging · thumbs-up · come-hither · shooing · finger-pointing · pantomime
Full of life, or drawn moving
- emphaticExpressed with force
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- flamboyantStrikingly bold in style
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
theatrical · demonstrative · effusive · passionate · vigorous · wild · frantic · energetic
Conveying information nonverbally
- conveyingTransmitting meaning or information
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- emphasisStress given to something
- illustratingDrawing to explain
accentuating · underlining · punctuating · clarifying · reinforcing · articulating · demonstrating · indicating
Art of persuasive language
- speechmakingDelivering formal spoken addresses
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
- preachingDelivering moral discourse
- lecturingGiving an instructive talk
presenting · addressing · rallying · exhorting · persuading · emphasizing · podium · pulpit
waving
Sweeping hand gesture
- pointingDirecting attention somewhere
- flailingUncontrolled limb movement
- beckoningGesturing for approach
shrugging · nodding · hand-wringing · finger-wagging · thumbs-up · come-hither · shooing · finger-pointing · pantomime · charades
animated
Full of life, or drawn moving
- emphaticExpressed with force
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- flamboyantStrikingly bold in style
exaggerated · theatrical · demonstrative · effusive · passionate · vigorous · wild · frantic · energetic · lively
signaling
Conveying information nonverbally
- conveyingTransmitting meaning or information
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- emphasisStress given to something
illustrating · accentuating · underlining · punctuating · clarifying · reinforcing · articulating · demonstrating · indicating · nonverbal
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
- speechmakingDelivering formal spoken addresses
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
- preachingDelivering moral discourse
lecturing · presenting · addressing · rallying · exhorting · persuading · emphasizing · podium · pulpit · soapbox
gesticulationsstillness
Complete lack of motion
motionlessness · immobility · stasis · rigidity · stiffness
gesticulationsimpassivity
Unresponsiveness to stimuli
restraint · poker face · deadpan · expressionlessness · blank stare
gesticulationsverbal communication
Exchange through spoken language
speech · spoken words · vocalization · utterances · written communication