gesture
JEHS-chuh
Gesture (noun) means a movement of the hands, arms, or body used to express or emphasise a meaning. Example: “With a quick gesture of her hand, the teacher asked the class to be quiet.”
noun
1
A movement of the hands, arms, or body used to express or emphasise a meaning.
"With a quick gesture of her hand, the teacher asked the class to be quiet."
"He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture."
"She used hand gestures to help explain the directions."
2
An action done for its symbolic value, especially to show goodwill or attitude, rather than for practical effect.
"Inviting the new neighbours for tea was a friendly gesture that meant a lot to them."
"Bringing flowers was a kind gesture after the funeral."
"The company made a gesture of goodwill by refunding the fee."
verb
1
To move the hands or body to express or point something out.
"The guide gestured at the mountain and told us to look up."
"He gestured wildly to get the waiter's attention across the busy room."
"She gestured toward the exit without saying a word."
How to use gesture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA meaningful movement of the body, or a symbolic act meant to show an attitude such as kindness or goodwill.
Common pairings
grand gesture
gesture of goodwill
hand gesture
empty gesture
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gesture.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gestures
- Third person singular
- gestures
- Past tense
- gestured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
With a quick _____ of her hand, the teacher asked the class to be quiet.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin gestura, "a way of carrying oneself," ultimately from Latin gerere, "to carry, bear, or behave."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for gesture
See all rhymes for 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'.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gesture:
