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

Asked about her friendship with Bridget, Juliet smiles, laughs and flashes a peace sign.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Cloonan said that Lee cut her off and then flashed a peace sign at her, which she interpreted as a sarcastic gesture.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024

Arthur points at a necklace with a bejeweled peace sign the size of my iPhone.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

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