shake head

Wordless negative gesture

To shake one's head is to rotate it side to side, signaling no, disapproval, or disbelief: She asked if I wanted more, and I shook my head.

The gesture can also express exasperation or bewilderment without verbal communication: He just shook his head at the mess.

Distinguished from nodding, which moves the head up and down to signal yes.

Related

disapproval · gesture · body language · disappointment · disbelief · sigh · frown · rueful smile · reject · negative · silent · unspoken · dismiss · doubt · sadly · regret · tsk · tut tut

Categories
Opposites
gestural meaning

shake headnod

Brief head tilt

say yes · agree · assent · head bob · accept

emotional response

shake headbeam

Structural support member

Family

shake, head, shakes, shook, shaken, shaking, shaker, shakers, shaky

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Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G