gesture

Pluralgestures

Formsgestures, gesturing, gestured

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A movement of the hands, arms, or body, often used to add meaning to what you say.

   Like drawing shapes in the air with your hands while you talk.

   She made a wide gesture toward the mountains as she spoke.

   He waved his arms in a big gesture to get our attention.

   Similarmovement, motion, gesticulation, signal

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   Something you do or say to show how you feel or to be polite.

   Like holding a door open for someone to show you are being kind.

   Bringing flowers was a kind gesture after the long week.

   The handshake was just a friendly gesture, nothing more.

   Similartoken, sign, expression, act

3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To move your hands or body to show something or get attention.

   Like waving your hand in the air to say goodbye.

   Speakers often gesture to keep their audience engaged.

   She gestured toward the door without saying a word.

   Similarmotion, signal, gesticulate, wave

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To use a movement of your hand or body to tell someone to do something.

   Like pointing at a chair to tell someone to sit down.

   Guards gesture visitors to step through the scanner one at a time.

   She gestured him toward the empty seat beside her.

   Similarmotion, signal, wave, beckon

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To show a feeling or idea by moving your hands or body.

   Like giving a thumbs-up to show you are happy.

   Actors learn to gesture emotions the audience can read from afar.

   He gestured his thanks with a quick wave.

   Similarsignal, indicate, express, show, convey

6. 6
   nouncountable

   A movement on a touchscreen or with a mouse that tells a device to do something.

   Like sliding your finger across the screen to turn a page.

   A simple gesture with two fingers zooms the photo in.

   She used a swipe gesture to close the app.

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To add hand or body movements to something you say or do.

   Like acting out a story with your hands as you tell it.

   The teacher gestured the story as she read it aloud.

   He likes to gesture his explanations so people follow along.

   Similarmime

   Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 8