gesticulate

[je-stik-yuh-leyt]

verb (used without object)

gesticulated, gesticulating 

1. to make or use gestures, especially in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech.

   Synonyms: signal, wave, motion, gesture

verb (used with object)

gesticulated, gesticulating 

1. to express by gesturing.

gesticulate

/ dʒɛˈstɪkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to express by or make gestures

Other Word Forms

• gesticulative adjective
• gesticulatory adjective
• gesticulator noun
• overgesticulate verb
• overgesticulative adjective
• overgesticulatively adverb
• ungesticulating adjective
• ungesticulative adjective
• ungesticulatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gesticulate¹

1595–1605; < Latin gesticulātus (past participle of gesticulārī ), equivalent to Late Latin (assumed in Latin ) gesticul ( us ) gesture (diminutive of gestus; gestic, -cule ¹ ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gesticulate¹

C17: from Latin gesticulārī, from Latin gesticulus (unattested except in Late Latin) gesture, diminutive of gestus gesture, from gerere to bear, conduct

Example Sentences

He’s holding a stress ball in one hand, and he’s gesticulating wildly with the other.

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Penelope glanced at the baroness, who had turned pale with fear and was gesticulating wildly at the baron.

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The Real Madrid midfielder, who had already been booked, gesticulated with his arms that he did not want to be substituted.

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When asked how she knew that, she gesticulated and pointed at her eyes, and shook her head incredulously.

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Emery directed his team, often gesticulating to up the tempo.

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