gesture
noun /ˈdʒestʃə(r)/
/ˈdʒestʃər/
- [countable, uncountable] a movement that you make with your hands, your head or your face to show a particular meaning
- He made a rude gesture at the driver of the other car.
- She finished what she had to say with a gesture of despair.
- They communicated entirely by gesture.
Culture gesturesgesturesSome gestures are used by all British and American people. Many are appropriate only in informal situations; others are considered rude and some have several different meanings, depending on the context.People nod (= move the head down and up) to indicate 'yes'. Sometimes people nod again and again during a conversation to show that they agree with the speaker. Nodding at somebody can indicate that it is their turn to do something. You can also nod towards somebody or something instead of pointing with your finger. Nodding to somebody while you are talking to someone else shows that you have noticed them.Shaking the head from side to side means 'no' but can also mean disbelief, amusement or annoyance depending on the expression on the face.Thumbs up is a gesture showing approval or success. It is usually made with the thumb of only one hand. The thumb points straight up while the fingers are curled into the palm. The gesture is used to tell somebody that they can go ahead and do something, or to indicate that the person making the gesture has succeeded in something. To give somebody the thumbs up is to give them permission to do something. Thumbs down is a similar gesture but the thumb points down towards the ground. It is used by somebody to indicate they have failed to do or get something.People thumb a lift (NAmE hitchhike) (= try to get a ride in a passing vehicle) by holding their arm out with the thumb up and slightly forward. Twiddling your thumbs (= moving your thumbs around each other with your fingers joined together) suggests you are bored or impatient. The phrase is often used as an idiom meaning ‘having nothing to do’.Pointing with the forefinger (= first finger) at somebody or something shows which person or thing you want or are talking about. But in both Britain and the US it is considered rude to point at people.People can indicate that they think somebody is crazy by pointing one finger at the side of their forehead and turning it. If you hold two fingers at the side of your head like a gun you are pretending to shoot yourself for doing something silly. A finger held to the lips indicates ‘ Sh!’ (= Be quiet!). If you pinch your nose or wave your hand under your nose you are indicating that there is a bad smell. Fingers crossed is a wish for good luck. The middle finger is crossed over the forefinger of the same hand. In Britain people give a V-sign by holding the middle finger and forefinger apart like a V and curling the other fingers and the thumb into the palm. If the back of your hand faces you, the sign means 'victory'. If your palm faces you, the gesture is rude and offensive. In the US people use the V-sign to mean 'peace' but the rude version is not used. Giving somebody the finger (= holding the middle finger straight up and curling the other fingers into the palm) is used instead.Drumming your fingers (= hitting them again and again on a desk or table) suggests you are feeling impatient. Scratching your head suggests you are not sure what to do. These gestures may also be a sign that a person is nervous.When somebody waves, one arm is raised and moved from side to side. You wave when saying goodbye to somebody or as a greeting. In the US children hold up their fist and move it down when a truck approaches, hoping the driver will sound the horn.People beckon somebody to come over by holding the hand with the palm up and the fingers curled in, and moving the hand or just the forefinger backwards and forwards. If the person is further away the forearm is also moved.Lifting the arm is used to attract attention. In schools teachers say 'Hands up' when they ask a question, so that all the children get a chance to answer. Sometimes a vote can be taken by a show of hands, by asking people who agree to raise their hands, and then, after they have lowered them, asking those who disagree to do the same. Adults also lift their arm to attract the attention of a waiter or a taxi driver. In Britain people stop a bus by holding one arm out while facing towards the bus.If you stand with your hands on your hips it can suggest anger or defiance. If you clench your fist (= make the hand into a tight ball), you are angry.People clap their hands to show they are pleased about something. After a concert, play, etc. they clap to show they enjoyed it.Shrugging your shoulders shows that you do not know or care about something. It can also be used to indicate that you do not mind which of several things is chosen.People sometimes tap their feet (usually only one foot) on the floor in time to music, but more often the gesture shows that they feel impatient. Children sometimes stamp their feet when they are angry.Winking at somebody suggests a shared secret or is used as a private signal. Raising the eyebrows with the eyes wide open, or blinking (= closing and opening both eyes very quickly) several times, expresses surprise, shock, or sometimes disapproval. The phrase eyebrows were raised is often used to say that people were surprised or that they did not approve of something.Frowning may suggest concentration, but is often a sign that a person does nt approve or is annoyed. Wrinkling the nose (= moving it up and to one side) suggests there is a bad smell.Children stick their tongues out to show they do not like somebody, but this is rude. Pursing the lips, making them very small and tight, is something people may do if they are concentrating hard. Sometimes, however, it shows a person is angry but trying hard to control their anger.Extra Examples- He responded with a vague gesture in the direction of the beach.
- He waved his arms in a melodramatic gesture.
- Expression and gesture are both forms of non-verbal communication.
- She waved us away with an impatient gesture.
- He made an obscene gesture with his hand.
- I stopped him with a slight gesture.
- She opened her arms out wide in a gesture of helplessness.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dramatic
- expansive
- expressive
- …
- make
- by gesture
- in a gesture
- with a gesture
- …
- [countable] something that you do or say to show a particular feeling or intention
- They sent some flowers as a gesture of sympathy to the parents of the child.
- It was a nice gesture (= it was kind) to invite his wife too.
- We do not accept responsibility but we will refund the money as a gesture of goodwill.
- His speech was at least a gesture towards improving relations between the two countries.
- The government has made a gesture towards public opinion (= has tried to do something that the public will like).
Extra Examples- His gift was a gesture of friendship.
- Several hostages were released as a goodwill gesture.
- The invasion attempt was intended as a political gesture against his opponents.
- The president's speech was seen as a conciliatory gesture towards former enemies.
- a bold gesture of reconciliation
- Words and empty gestures are not enough—we demand action!
- a token gesture of their good intentions
- In a dramatic gesture, the prime minister refused to attend the meeting.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- kind
- nice
- sweet
- …
- as a gesture
- in a gesture
- gesture against
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from medieval Latin gestura, from Latin gerere ‘bear, wield, perform’. The original sense was ‘bearing, deportment’, hence ‘the use of posture and bodily movements for effect when speaking’.