body language

American  

noun

1. nonverbal, usually unconscious, communication through the use of postures, gestures, facial expressions, and the like.

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body language British  

noun

1. the nonverbal imparting of information by means of conscious or subconscious bodily gestures, posture, etc

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Etymology

Origin of body language

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Somebody needed to fire them up because they looked flat, the body language betraying a team that was going under.

From BBC

"His technique is unbelievable, his body language is top," said Flick, adding that the Spaniard may be able to start playing regularly for Barca next season.

From Barron's

The 52-year-old had his head in his hands when the final whistle went -- his body language as negative as the horrendous weather which had left puddles all over the pitch.

From Barron's

She knew how to vamp like no other, using facial expressions and body language like building blocks to create everyone’s favorite characters.

From Salon

She barely appears alongside her husband, and when she does, her body language often reads as reluctant at best, contemptuous at worst.

From Salon

Related Words

• gesture