gesticulate

[ je-stik-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ges·tic·u·lat·ed, ges·tic·u·lat·ing.

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)

, ges·tic·u·lat·ed, ges·tic·u·lat·ing.

1. to express by gesturing.

gesticulate

/ dʒɛˈstɪkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to express by or make gestures

Derived Forms

• gesˈticulative, adjective
• gesˈticuˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• ges·ticu·lative ges·tic·u·la·to·ry [je-, stik, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• ges·ticu·lator noun
• over·ges·ticu·late verb overgesticulated overgesticulating
• over·ges·ticu·lative adjective
• over·ges·ticu·lative·ly adverb
• unges·ticu·lating adjective
• unges·ticu·lative adjective
• unges·ticu·la·tory 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

BB-8 moves fluidly and playfully, and K-2SO walks with a lazy gait and gesticulates wildly, while their counterparts move rigidly and precisely.

From Nautilus

At first he kept his hands behind his back in a tight knot; then he began to gesticulate as he turned.

From Project Gutenberg

My subordinates may gird their loins to leap and run and gesticulate, shedding their own blood the while in crimson streams.

From Project Gutenberg

This is particularly the case with people who are somewhat theatrical and hence gesticulate too much.

From Project Gutenberg

The collar of his coat on the right side had an unpleasant way of flying up whenever he raised his arm to gesticulate.

From Project Gutenberg

One was talking loquaciously, using his free arm, on which hung a cane, to gesticulate.

From Project Gutenberg