100 Gestures and their Meanings

Here's a table with 50 body gestures and their main functions in communication, including the gestures you've provided:

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.

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