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


Comments
Post a Comment