fingerspelling

[ fing-ger-spel-ing ]

noun

1. the communication in sign language of a word or other expression by rendering its written form letter by letter in a manual alphabet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fingerspelling¹

finger + spelling

Example Sentences

I press “play” again on the video and watch Will’s careful signing, his fingerspelling, his nervous relief at the end.

From New York Times

Alice Rash, a teacher at the California School for the Deaf, added that she was impressed by the nuance in Jackie and his father’s exchange, like the use of fingerspelling.

From Los Angeles Times

Nervous relief flooded his face when he finished fingerspelling my name.

From New York Times

The company launched fingerspelling mobile app Ace ASL for iOS in April, and for Android earlier this month.

From The Verge

“I was filming my show about 75 hours a week, but I was always fingerspelling between takes,” said Jones, 19, referring to the practice of using one’s fingers to form individual letters.

From Los Angeles Times