100 Gestures and their Meanings
No. |
Body Gesture |
Main Function (in some cultures) |
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1 |
Nod (Yes) |
Repeating |
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2 |
Shrug (I don’t know) |
Substituting |
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3 |
Scratch head, quizzical look |
Complementing |
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4 |
Tone of voice +pointing |
Accenting |
||
5 |
Hand raised |
Regulating, turn-taking |
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6 |
Head shake |
Contradicting |
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7 |
Eye movements |
Deceiving |
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8 |
Staring/Looking down or away |
Dominating/Submitting |
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9 |
Raised fist |
Aggression |
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10 |
Hand-shake |
Socialising |
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11 |
Touching, kissing |
Arousal |
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12 |
Over-adornment |
Boasting |
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13 |
Eye rolling |
Dismissing |
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14 |
Tapping fingers |
Impatience |
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15 |
Crossed arms |
Defensiveness |
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16 |
Leaning forward |
Interest, Engagement |
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17 |
Leaning back |
Disinterest, Detachment |
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18 |
Foot tapping |
Impatience, Anxiety |
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19 |
Sighing |
Frustration, Relief |
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20 |
Smiling |
Friendliness, Approval |
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21 |
Frowning |
Disapproval, Confusion |
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22 |
Winking |
Flirting, Secretive Communication |
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23 |
Thumbs up |
Approval, Agreement |
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24 |
Thumbs down |
Disapproval, Disagreement |
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25 |
Pursed lips |
Disapproval, Skepticism |
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26 |
Wide eyes |
Surprise, Fear |
||
27 |
Squinting |
Scrutiny, Difficulty Seeing |
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28 |
Biting lip |
Nervousness, Anxiety |
||
29 |
Yawning |
Tiredness, Boredom |
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30 |
Blowing a kiss |
Affection, Farewell |
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31 |
Saluting |
Respect, Acknowledgement |
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32 |
Clenched fist |
Anger, Determination |
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33 |
Pointing |
Directing Attention, Accusation |
||
34 |
Hands on hips |
Readiness, Aggression |
||
35 |
Patting (back, shoulder) |
Reassurance, Congratulation |
||
36 |
Hugging |
Comfort, Affection |
||
37 |
Bowing |
Respect, Submission |
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38 |
Facepalming |
Embarrassment, Frustration |
||
39 |
Rubbing hands |
Anticipation, Greed |
||
40 |
Rubbing eyes |
Tiredness, Disbelief |
||
41 |
Shaking head side to side |
Refusal, Disagreement |
||
42 |
Tapping ear |
Listening, Asking for clarity |
||
43 |
Covering mouth |
Surprise, Hiding reactions |
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44 |
Clapping hands |
Applause, Excitement |
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45 |
Snapping fingers |
Attention calling, Impatience |
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46 |
High-five |
Celebration, Agreement |
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47 |
Rubbing chin |
Thinking, Evaluating |
||
48 |
Hands clasped together |
Plea, Anxiety |
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49 |
Fist pump |
Triumph, Enthusiasm |
||
50 |
Jazz hands |
Excitement, Flamboyance |
||
51 |
Raising eyebrows |
Surprise, Questioning |
||
52 |
Lowering eyebrows |
Concentration, Anger |
||
53 |
Scratching chin |
Thoughtfulness, Uncertainty |
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54 |
Touching nose |
Lying, Doubt |
||
55 |
Stroking beard |
Pondering, Contemplation |
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56 |
Pouting |
Displeasure, Childishness |
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57 |
Biting nails |
Nervousness, Anxiety |
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58 |
Cracking knuckles |
Readiness, Anxiety |
||
59 |
Wrinkling nose |
Disgust, Displeasure |
||
60 |
Covering face |
Embarrassment, Shock |
||
61 |
Tugging ear |
Indecision, Seeking attention |
||
62 |
Open arms |
Welcoming, Openness |
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63 |
Waving |
Greeting, Farewell |
||
64 |
Rubbing neck |
Self-comfort, Nervousness |
||
65 |
Holding chin |
Scrutiny, Judgment |
||
66 |
Raising one finger |
Indicating first, Request to speak |
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67 |
Finger snapping |
Attention, Remembering something |
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68 |
Rubbing temples |
Headache, Stress |
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69 |
Crossing legs |
Defensive, Comfort |
||
70 |
Sitting on hands |
Nervousness, Containment |
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71 |
Rocking back and forth |
Self-soothing, Anxiety |
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72 |
Finger pointing upwards |
Emphasis, Warning |
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73 |
Hands in pockets |
Relaxation, Disinterest |
||
74 |
Picking at clothes |
Nervousness, Self-consciousness |
||
75 |
Scratching arm |
Itching, Nervousness |
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76 |
Flicking hair |
Flirting, Attention seeking |
||
77 |
Brushing shoulder |
Dismissing, Brushing off |
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78 |
Pinching bridge of nose |
Annoyance, Stress |
||
79 |
Rubbing hands together |
Anticipation, Greed |
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80 |
Stretching arms |
Tiredness, Relief |
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81 |
Holding head |
Pain, Despair |
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82 |
Head tilt |
Curiosity, Confusion |
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83 |
Pulling collar |
Nervousness, Anxiety |
||
84 |
Massaging forehead |
Stress, Tiredness |
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85 |
Playing with rings or jewellery |
Nervousness, Boredom |
||
86 |
Holding stomach |
Nausea, Hunger |
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87 |
Hands steepled |
Confidence, Authority |
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88 |
Folding hands |
Patience, Calmness |
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89 |
Hands on head |
Shock, Astonishment |
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90 |
Blinking rapidly |
Surprise, Nervousness |
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91 |
Looking over glasses |
Scrutiny, Disapproval |
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92 |
Peering from behind glasses |
Skepticism, Suspicion |
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93 |
Waving finger side to side |
No, Disapproval |
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94 |
Thumb and forefinger touching |
Precision, Perfection |
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95 |
Finger gun gesture |
Playfulness, Casual warning |
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96 |
Jazz hands |
Excitement, Flamboyance |
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97 |
Air quotes |
Sarcasm, Irony |
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98 |
Tapping foot |
Impatience, Nervousness |
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99 |
Clicking tongue |
Disapproval, Annoyance |
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100 |
Blowing raspberries |
Disrespect, Mocking |
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This extended list provides a more comprehensive overview of
various body gestures and their communicative functions across different
contexts.
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