gesturenoun [ C ]
uk/ˈdʒes.tʃər/us/ˈdʒes.tʃɚ/gesture noun [ C ] (MOVEMENT)
C1 a movement of the hands, arms, or head, etc. to express an idea or feeling:
The prisoner raised his fist in a gesture of defiance as he was led out of the courtroom.
She made a rude gesture at the other driver.
More examples
- "All this is mine, " she said with a sweeping arm gesture.
- Since they spoke only Swahili, we used signs and gestures to make ourselves understood.
- The taxi driver made a rude gesture as he overtook us.
- He threw his hands up in a gesture of despair.
- When she ruffled the boy's hair, it was meant as a playful gesture - but he was furious.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Gestures & gesturing
- air punch
- air quotes
- bat
- beckon
- blow
- bob
- body language
- cue
- finger
- give sb the finger idiom
- inclination
- mooning
- motion
- namaskar
- nod
- non-verbal
- peace sign
- pump
- pump sb's hand idiom
- wave sb/sth down
See more results »
gesture noun [ C ] (SYMBOLIC ACT)
C1 an action that expresses your feelings or intentions, although it might have little practical effect:
The government donated £500,000 as a gesture of goodwill.
Eating boiled potatoes instead of chips was his only gesture towards healthy eating.
More examples
- Releasing the hostages has been seen as a goodwill gesture.
- Five hundred troops were sent in, more as a gesture of strength than as a real threat.
- The demonstration is a pointless gesture of defiance against the government.
- What better finale to her career than this extravagant gesture?
- The press release is a face-saving gesture.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Gestures & gesturing
- air punch
- air quotes
- bat
- beckon
- blow
- bob
- body language
- cue
- finger
- give sb the finger idiom
- inclination
- mooning
- motion
- namaskar
- nod
- non-verbal
- peace sign
- pump
- pump sb's hand idiom
- wave sb/sth down
See more results »
gestureverb [ I ]
uk/ˈdʒes.tʃər/us/ˈdʒes.tʃɚ/C2 to use a gesture to express or emphasize something:
When he asked where the children were, she gestured vaguely in the direction of the beach.
He made no answer but walked on, gesturing for me to follow.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Gestures & gesturing
- air punch
- air quotes
- bat
- beckon
- blow
- bob
- body language
- cue
- finger
- give sb the finger idiom
- inclination
- mooning
- motion
- namaskar
- nod
- non-verbal
- peace sign
- pump
- pump sb's hand idiom
- wave sb/sth down
See more results »