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gesture

gesture

134 2.3
A movement of the body that shows a thought or feeling
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛstʃər/
: gesto
  • That is a nice gesture, don't you think?
  • hand gestures
  • facial gestures
  • expressions and gestures

Dance requires twists and gestures, backward and forward motion.

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Examples

  • One boy raised his hand and told me that my gesture meant something bad.

    Academic text (2013)
  • What do you make of this gesture, this nod in your direction?

  • And then they tell them the meaning of the gesture of the hand.

  • Love is not some grand gesture, it's it's the little things.

  • A familiar gesture, second nature from another world.

  • But when you go to raise your hand, the gesture does all the communicating.

  • I remember being struck by a gesture you made and checking to see who you were.

  • The individual gestures are broad and easy to read.

  • I appreciate your gesture.

  • He made a welcoming gesture with his hand to greet the guests.

Synonyms

signal
vsgesture
470 2.1

A gesture or sound that tells someone to act

refers only to body movements expressing ideas or feelings, not all actions
sign
vsgesture
87 1.8

A movement made to show meaning or give an instruction

expresses an idea or feeling rather than only formal communication
wave
vsgesture
54 1.0

A hand movement to greet or attract attention

covers all body or head movements to show ideas or feelings
motion
vsgesture
14 2.0

A movement of the hand or body to signal someone

focuses on expressing ideas or feelings, not any physical movement
gesticulation
vsgesture
1 7.4

Movements of the hands and arms that show feeling or make a point when you speak

is any movement to show idea or feeling, not only emphasis

Compounds

A movement of the face to show emotion or send a message without words

An action that shows care for someone

An uncontrolled sudden jerky movement of a hand or body

lanjiao gesture
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude Chinese hand gesture used to show anger or insult someone

A loose wrist movement used to show sarcasm or mock someone

How Expressive

flourish
23 6.2
signal
470 2.1
gesture
134 2.3
wave
54 1.0
movement
636 1.5

Surface Forms

gesture singular
gestures plural

Etymology

Gesture comes from the Latin gestus and gerere, which meant 'to carry' or 'to do', and is the same root as suggest. Think of a gesture as 'carrying' a feeling or idea with your hand, head, or face, which is why a movement can show what you mean.