Synonyms and antonyms of To use a particular gesture to communicate something in British Thesaurus

acknowledge (verb)

to show that you are grateful to people who are clapping or cheering for you by waving your hand, nodding your head etc

bat your eyes/eyelashes ()

to open and close your eyes very quickly several times, intending to be attractive to someone

beckon (verb)

to signal to someone to come towards you

dig (noun)

a quick push with your elbow or finger that is intended to get someone’s attention

dig someone in the ribs ()

to push someone with your elbow because you want to get their attention

facepalm (noun)

humorous the action of covering your face with your hand to show that you are embarrassed, annoyed, or shocked about something

flag down ()

to wave at the driver of a car so that they stop

give me five (British)

Britishinformal used for asking someone to hit their open hand against yours, usually as a way of celebrating

give someone the bird (mainly American)

mainly Americaninformal to hold up your middle finger as a very rude sign

give someone the finger ()

to express anger at someone in a very rude way by holding up your longest finger towards them with your palm facing you

hand-wringing (noun)

a way of expressing that you are very worried or nervous

high five (noun)

the action of holding your hand up and hitting your palm flat against that of another person, when you meet them or as a way of congratulating them

in acknowledgment ()

if you move your hand or head in acknowledgment of someone, you do it in order to show that you have seen them, or have paid attention to what they are saying

indicate (verb)

to direct someone’s attention towards a particular person, place, or thing, for example with your hand or head

jerk/jab/cock your thumb ()

to point your thumb at someone or something in order to show that you are talking about them

moon (verb)

informal to show your naked bottom to someone as an insult or a joke

motion (verb)

to move your hand or head in a particular direction, for example to point somewhere or to get someone’s attention

nod (verb)

to move your head first downwards and then upwards, to answer ‘Yes’ to a question or to show that you agree, approve, or understand

nod (verb)

to move your head once in a particular direction, for example to make someone look at something or to give someone a signal to do something

nod (verb)

to move your head downwards and upwards as a way of saying hello, goodbye, thank you etc

nod (noun)

the movement that you make when you nod your head

point (verb)

to show something by holding out your finger or a long thin object

point (verb)

to show a particular direction or place, usually using a sign or symbol

point (verb)

to show someone the direction in which they should go

point out ()

to show someone who a person is or where something is

punch the air ()

to show that you are very pleased by punching the air with your fist (=closed hand)

put/stick two fingers up at someone ()

to express anger at someone in a very rude way by holding up your first two fingers in the shape of a ‘V’ with your palm facing you

put your hand up/put up your hand ()

to raise your arm to show that you want to ask or answer a question, or so that someone can count you

raise your thumb ()

to point your thumb upwards in order to show that you approve of something or that there are no problems

shake your finger (at someone) ()

to point your finger at someone and move it up and down quickly as a way of showing that you do not approve of what they are doing

shake your fist (at someone) ()

to shake your closed hand in the direction of another person as a way of showing that you are angry at them

shake your head ()

to show you do not understand something by turning your head from side to side

shake your head ()

to say no by turning your head from side to side

shrug (verb)

to move your shoulders up and let them drop to show that you do not know something or do not care

shrug (noun)

the action of moving your shoulders up and then dropping them

spit at ()

to force saliva out of your mouth in the direction of someone else as an insult

stab (verb)

to make a movement with your finger or a pointed object as if you are stabbing something, usually to emphasize something that you are saying

stamp (noun)

an act of putting your foot down hard and noisily on something

stick your tongue out (at someone) ()

to move your tongue quickly out of your mouth as an insult

take a bow ()

to give a bow at the end of a performance, to thank the audience

V sign (noun)

a sign meaning victory or peace, made by raising your first finger and middle finger in the shape of a ‘V’ with the back of your hand turned towards you

V sign (noun)

British a rude sign made by raising your first finger and middle finger in the shape of a ‘V’ with the back of your hand turned away from you

wag (verb)

if a person wags a finger or wags their head, they shake it several times, usually to show that they are angry

wag (noun)

a movement of your head or finger from side to side, usually to show that you are angry

wave (noun)

the action of moving an object in the air, especially in order to give a signal

wave (noun)

American a Mexican wave

wave down ()

to make a vehicle stop by waving your arm or hand at the driver

wave through ()

to make a signal with your hand that shows you are allowing a person or vehicle to go through a gate or other entrance