Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
👋 Gesturing with hands 🤷 Not detailed 🤷 A vague explanation
hand-waving

hand-waving

1 4.9
Moving the hands to get attention or make a point
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌweɪvɪŋ/
translation icon : gesticulación
  • The teacher used hand-waving to guide the students' attention to the important diagram on the board.

Examples

  • Are you getting lots of exercise with all that hand waving?

    Blog text (32)

  • During his speech, the speaker's constant hand-waving emphasized his enthusiasm and helped illustrate his points.

  • But all I see is random hand waving.

    Blog text (32)

  • Manic hand-waving seems to be a favorite troll pastime.

    Blog text (32)

  • In the crowded room, her hand-waving caught the attention of her friend across the hall.

Synonyms

sign
vshand-waving
109 1.8

A movement made to show meaning or give an instruction

is broader and includes attention or emphasis not only formal signals
gesticulation
vshand-waving
1 7.4

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

is about attracting attention, indicating direction, or emphasizing speech
waving
vshand-waving
1 1.0

A movement of the hand to greet or get attention

is broader, used for attention, direction, and emphasis not only greeting
signaling
vshand-waving
  • US
1 4.0

Using gestures or movements to give information without words

is more specific, focusing on attention, direction, or emphasis
gesticulating
vshand-waving
6.3

You move your hands or arms while talking to show feelings

is about attracting attention or indicating direction rather than just expression

Antonyms

stillness
38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Expressive

hand-waving
1 4.9
gesture
140 2.3
to beckon
23 4.0
to point
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hand-waving singular
hand-wavings plural

Morphology

hand-waving = hand + wave (transparent) = hand + wave + ing

This is a direct composition of 'hand' + 'waving' (wave+ing) referring to the literal action of moving one's hands.

Etymology

Hand-waving simply means moving your hand like a wave to show direction, get attention, or add feeling to speech. That is why the act of using your hands to point or to emphasize is called 'hand-waving'.