nonverbal communication
Signals without speaking
Nonverbal communication is the exchange of information without words—through facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, tone of voice, or physical distance.
It often conveys more than speech: a shrug, a raised eyebrow, or crossed arms can contradict or amplify what someone says.
Her nonverbal communication suggested she wasn't interested, despite her polite words.
Communicative body movement
- waveOscillating motion through medium
- nodBrief head tilt
- shrugShoulder gesture of uncertainty
- pointExact location or meaning
beckon · thumbs-up · high-five · handshake · bow · salute · fist-bump · head shake
Conveyed thought or feeling
- smilePleased facial expression
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- smirkPleased, superior smile
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
scowl · gaze · eye contact · eyebrow raise · wink · glare · stare · pout
Unspoken physical expression
- postureBody position, alignment
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
- gaitLocomotion pattern
- movementChange in position
orientation · poise · crossed arms · leaning · mirroring · fidgeting · slouching · kinesics
Perceiving through physical contact
- hapticsScience of touch feedback
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
- hugTight, affectionate clasp
- patGentle palm stroke
embrace · physical contact · kiss · stroke · caress · holding hands · shoulder touch · fist bump
Comfort distance around oneself
- distanceSpace between two points
- proximityNearness in space
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- social distanceMaintained interpersonal gap
crowding · invasion · buffer · positioning · seating arrangement · approach · avoidance · closeness
Quality of sound
- pitchFrequency of sound
- volumeAmount of space filled
- paceSpeed of movement
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
silence · sigh · gasp · laughter · grunt · intonation · inflection · hesitation
Message-conveying cue
- semaphoreFlag-based signaling system
- morse codeDot-dash alphabet system
- smoke signalsFlame-based distant messaging
- beaconGuiding light source
flare · distress signal · hand signal · light signal · warning sign · indicator · visual cue
gesture
Communicative body movement
point · beckon · thumbs-up · high-five · handshake · bow · salute · fist-bump · head shake · hand signal
expression
Conveyed thought or feeling
grimace · scowl · gaze · eye contact · eyebrow raise · wink · glare · stare · pout · sneer
body language
Unspoken physical expression
movement · orientation · poise · crossed arms · leaning · mirroring · fidgeting · slouching · kinesics · open stance
touch
Perceiving through physical contact
pat · embrace · physical contact · kiss · stroke · caress · holding hands · shoulder touch · fist bump · back slap
personal space
Comfort distance around oneself
social distance · crowding · invasion · buffer · positioning · seating arrangement · approach · avoidance · closeness
tone
Quality of sound
pause · silence · sigh · gasp · laughter · grunt · intonation · inflection · hesitation · clearing throat
signal
Message-conveying cue
- semaphoreFlag-based signaling system
- morse codeDot-dash alphabet system
- smoke signalsFlame-based distant messaging
beacon · flare · distress signal · hand signal · light signal · warning sign · indicator · visual cue
- communicationtelephone, conversation, inform, hand signal, messages
- social skillssocial skills, conversation, sharing, helping, listening
- cultural communicationlanguage, speech, gestures, signs, symbols
- social interactiongreeting, hello, goodbye, hi, bye
- workplace communicationemail, emails, memo, memos, meeting
- sign languageAmerican Sign Language, British Sign Language, fingerspelling, ASL, handshape
nonverbal communicationverbal communication
Exchange through spoken language
spoken language · speech · oral communication · written communication · spoken word
communicate, communication, verbal, communications, communicative, communicated, communicating, communicator, uncommunicative