peace sign

American

noun

a sign representing “peace,” made by extending the forefinger and middle finger upward in a V -shape with the palm turned outward.

peace sign British

noun

a gesture made with the palm of the hand outwards and the index and middle fingers raised in a V See also V-sign

"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

Etymology

Origin of peace sign

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

“Don’t worry, be happy,” Maduro said at an event in the capital of Caracas, wearing a sombrero and flashing a peace sign as he sang along to the Bobby McFerrin classic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

On the way to Noor's apartment, the HTS convoy speed through the streets and passersby cheer them and flash the peace sign.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2024

By her account, the Volkswagen cut her off and its driver flashed her a sarcastic peace sign.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2024

I was like, well, that's not the peace sign.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2024

If you don’t know what that is, it’s when you make an upside-down peace sign and let your fingers glide over the glossy desk, like they were figure skaters.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023