gestures
Hands speak wordlessly
Gestures are movements of the body—especially the hands, arms, or head—that communicate meaning or emotion.
A wave, a shrug, a nod, a pointed finger.
Some gestures are nearly universal; others vary by culture.
The word extends to symbolic actions: a gesture of goodwill, an empty gesture.
To gesture is to make such movements: She gestured toward the door.
Oscillating motion through medium
- nodBrief head tilt
- shrugShoulder gesture of uncertainty
- pointExact location or meaning
- beckonSignal to approach
bow · curtsy · handshake · hug · high-five · fist-bump · thumbs-up · facepalm
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- dramatizeDepict with heightened emotion
- emoteExpress with theatricality
exaggerate · theatrics · animated · emphatic · sweeping · grandiose · flamboyant · restrained
Gesture indicating approval
- thumbs-downGesture signaling rejection
- saluteGestural sign of honor
- shushCommand for silence
- clappingRhythmic palm strikes
blessing · benediction · mudra
Respectful Indian greeting
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- prostrationUtter physical or mental depletion
- salaamRespectful Eastern bow
curtsy · handshake · hug · toast · homage · greeting · farewell · blessing
Valve controlling liquid flow
- swipeQuick sliding motion
- pinchSqueeze with fingertips
- dragResistance through fluid
- scrollWound document of parchment
zoom · flick · long-press · double-tap · rotate · multi-touch · haptic · trackpad
Manual visual communication system
- BSLBritish sign language
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
- signingInscribing one's name
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
manual · handshape · classifier · signer
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
beckon · bow · curtsy · handshake · hug · high-five · fist-bump · thumbs-up · facepalm · salute
mime
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- dramatizeDepict with heightened emotion
emote · exaggerate · theatrics · animated · emphatic · sweeping · grandiose · flamboyant · restrained · subtle
thumbs-up
Gesture indicating approval
- thumbs-downGesture signaling rejection
- saluteGestural sign of honor
- shushCommand for silence
clapping · blessing · benediction · mudra
namaste
Respectful Indian greeting
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- prostrationUtter physical or mental depletion
salaam · curtsy · handshake · hug · toast · homage · greeting · farewell · blessing · genuflection
tap
Valve controlling liquid flow
scroll · zoom · flick · long-press · double-tap · rotate · multi-touch · haptic · trackpad · touchscreen
ASL
Manual visual communication system
- BSLBritish sign language
- fingerspellingLetter-by-letter hand alphabet
- signingInscribing one's name
interpreter · manual · handshape · classifier · signer
- actingacting, act, performing, playacting, actor
- Silent Filmsilent films, silent era, silent comedy, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton
- social skillssocial skills, conversation, sharing, helping, listening
- behavioral cuesbody language, facial expression, eye contact, posture, tone of voice
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- body languagefacial expressions, posture, nodding, pointing, waving
gesturesspeech
Oral communication ability
words · verbal communication · spoken language · vocalization · spoken words
gesturesstillness
Complete lack of motion
immobility · motionlessness · inaction · passivity · rigidity
- hand gestureMotion made with fingers
- romantic gestureAct expressing affection
- thumbs up gesture
- empty gestureInsincere symbolic act
- grand gestures
- token gestureInsincere symbolic action