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

Before his winner he hit both posts, moaned and furiously gesticulated at the referee and team-mates, while also being pursued by a pitch invader at one stage.

From BBC

Dart looked close to tears at the start of the second set and continued to gesticulate towards her team, which was led by mum Susie who has been coaching her in New York.

From BBC

The screens, all muted, were playing live footage of Trump pointing, waving and gesticulating.

From Seattle Times

At the shout of “action,” two actors, costumed in black blazers and sunglasses, erupted into a spirited shouting match, gesticulating wildly as one demanded that the other convince his daughter to marry him.

From New York Times

"Don't get me started on that terrible war," she says, gesticulating energetically.

From BBC