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Synonyms

kinesics

American  
[ki-nee-siks, -ziks, kahy-] / kɪˈni sɪks, -zɪks, kaɪ- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

  1. the study of body movements, gestures, facial expressions, etc., as a means of communication.

kinesics British  
/ kɪˈniːsɪks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) the study of the role of body movements, such as winking, shrugging, etc, in communication

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • kinesic adjective
  • kinesically adverb

Etymology

Origin of kinesics

1950–55; < Greek kī́nēs ( is ) ( kinesis ) + -ics

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.

But this week we get a bit more, starting with Isaac’s delightful disquisition on the study of kinesics that enables him to instantly interpret what has happened.

From New York Times

So says Anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell, a pioneer in the study of kinesics, as body language is called.

From Time Magazine Archive

The University of Buffalo's Birdwhistell calls his specialty "kinesics," the study of body motions as a form of communication.

From Time Magazine Archive

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.