nonverbal
Communicated through gestures
Nonverbal describes communication or expression that doesn't use words.
Body language, facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice are nonverbal cues: Her nonverbal signals suggested she was uncomfortable.
In developmental contexts, a nonverbal child hasn't yet acquired speech or communicates through other means.
Body position, alignment
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
- gaitLocomotion pattern
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- facial expressionsVisible emotional displays
microexpressions · kinesics · haptics · regulators · adaptors · emblems · illustrators · body language
Oscillating motion through medium
- nodBrief head tilt
- shrugShoulder gesture of uncertainty
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- saluteGestural sign of honor
beckon · pointing · thumbs-up · high-five · fist-bump · handshake · curtsy · pantomime
Beauty service for skin
Audible breath of emotion
- sobbingConvulsive crying aloud
- gigglingLaughing in short bursts
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
cringing · whimpering · guffawing · body-language · posture · fidgeting · slumped · tense
Not verbally expressed
- wordlessLacking spoken content
- voicelessHaving no voice
- muteWithout voice or sound
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
speechless · reticent · tight-lipped · unuttered · unsaid · implicit · understated · inexpressible
Representational mark or sign
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- signMark conveying information
- logoCompany identifying symbol
pictogram · glyph · ideogram · emoji · emoticon · hieroglyph · signal · semaphore
Innate behavioral tendency
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- empathySharing another's emotions
subconscious · sensitivity · discernment · innate · vibes · energy · presence
Quality of sound
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- pitchFrequency of sound
- volumeAmount of space filled
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
silence · sigh · gasp · laughter · grunt · hum · whisper · inflection
Relating to physical extent
- visualOf or concerning sight
- perceptualRelated to awareness through senses
- sensorimotorRelating sensation to movement
- kinestheticRelating to body awareness
posture
Body position, alignment
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
- gaitLocomotion pattern
- eye contactDirect visual connection
facial expressions · microexpressions · kinesics · haptics · regulators · adaptors · emblems · illustrators · body language · personal space
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
salute · beckon · pointing · thumbs-up · high-five · fist-bump · handshake · curtsy · pantomime · gesticulation
facial
Beauty service for skin
grimace · wink · nod · shrug · pout · scowl · glare · eyebrow · blink · gaze
sighing
Audible breath of emotion
shivering · cringing · whimpering · guffawing · body-language · posture · fidgeting · slumped · tense · relaxed
unspoken
Not verbally expressed
taciturn · speechless · reticent · tight-lipped · unuttered · unsaid · implicit · understated · inexpressible
symbol
Representational mark or sign
logo · pictogram · glyph · ideogram · emoji · emoticon · hieroglyph · signal · semaphore · flag
instinct
Innate behavioral tendency
- hunchUnproven inner sense
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
empathy · subconscious · sensitivity · discernment · innate · vibes · energy · presence
tone
Quality of sound
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- pitchFrequency of sound
- volumeAmount of space filled
pause · silence · sigh · gasp · laughter · grunt · hum · whisper · inflection · cadence
spatial
Relating to physical extent
- visualOf or concerning sight
- perceptualRelated to awareness through senses
- sensorimotorRelating sensation to movement
- "Non-" wordsnonprofit, nonfiction, nonstop, nonsense, nonfat
- expressionexpress, convey, communicate, speaking, talking
- speechlessspeechless, mute, wordless, tongue-tied, dumbstruck
- unspokensilent, tacit, unsaid, unstated, wordless
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, vision loss, developmental disability, hearing impairment
- Special Needsspecial education, special needs, special ed, disability rights, IEP
nonverbalverbal
Of or in words
linguistic · lexical · rhetorical · discursive · textual
- nonverbal cuesUnspoken communication signals
- nonverbal expressionCommunication without words
- nonverbal communicationWordless transmission of meaning
- nonverbal signalsCommunication without speech
- nonverbal autismNeurodevelopmental condition without speech