gesticulation
Americannoun
-
the act of gesticulating
-
an animated or expressive gesture
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gesticulation
First recorded in 1595–1605, gesticulation is from the Latin word gesticulātiōn- (stem of gesticulātiō ). See gesticulate, -ion
Explanation
A gesticulation is a dramatic movement that gets attention. Some stand-up comedians dash across the stage, throwing their hands around, as they act out what they are talking about. These gesticulations become part of the act. You can see the word gesture in gesticulation. When you gesture, you move in a way that communicates feelings about what you're saying, such as shrugging your shoulders while saying, "I don't know." A gesticulation is even more emphatic than that — a gesture might be a shrug of the shoulders, but add upturned palms and a comical facial expression that shows confusion and you have gesticulation.
Vocabulary lists containing gesticulation
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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Frankenstein
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You wouldn't see such gesticulation from a posse of policemen directing traffic at a busy crossroads.
From BBC ● May 9, 2026
The most memorable gesticulation of the day, though, was definitely a little number from George W. Bush.
From Slate ● Jan. 9, 2025
“Enough is Enough,” also certainly covers the daily gesticulation by politicians, pundits and the press regarding the latest polling figures, and trying to guess what the presidential debate will be like next week.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2024
Managers will, for example, permit rivals to leave their technical areas without reproach, but not if they indulge in excitable gesticulation or overt displays of emotion at the same time.
From New York Times ● Oct. 23, 2016
“I see from my own internal gesticulation sensors that we have a question,” said Mr. Lemoncello.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
