gesture
0 antonyms and opposites of gesture, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A movement of the hands, arms, or body used to express or emphasise a meaning.
How to use gesture
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin gestura, "a way of carrying oneself," ultimately from Latin gerere, "to carry, bear, or behave."
Full origin of gesture →Frequently asked questions
What does “gesture” mean?
The word “gesture” means a movement of the hands, arms, or body used to express or emphasise a meaning. In plain terms, a meaningful movement of the body, or a symbolic act meant to show an attitude such as kindness or goodwill.
How do you pronounce “gesture”?
“Gesture” is pronounced JEHS-chuh (/ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gesture” in a sentence?
Here is “gesture” used in a sentence: “He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.”
What part of speech is “gesture”?
Depending on how it is used, “gesture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gesture” come from?
The word “gesture” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin gestura, "a way of carrying oneself," ultimately from Latin gerere, "to carry, bear, or behave.".
Is “gesture” a common word?
“Gesture” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “gesture” have?
“Gesture” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a movement of the hands, arms, or body used to express or emphasise a meaning.
What is the difference between 'gesture' and 'gesticulate'?
A 'gesture' is a single movement of the hands, arms, or body to express meaning. To 'gesticulate' means to make many lively or dramatic gestures, especially while speaking.
What is the difference between a 'gesture' and a 'sign'?
A 'gesture' is usually a spontaneous body movement that expresses or emphasises meaning. A 'sign' is typically a fixed, agreed symbol or movement, as in sign language, with a specific set meaning.
What is a 'symbolic gesture'?
A symbolic gesture is an action done chiefly for its symbolic value, to show goodwill or attitude, rather than for any practical effect. Sending flowers to express sympathy is one example.
What prepositions are used with 'gesture'?
As a verb, 'gesture' is often followed by 'to' or 'towards', as in 'she gestured towards the door'. As a noun it commonly takes 'of', as in 'a gesture of goodwill'.