gesture

/ˈdʒestʃə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒestʃər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjes-chər ˈjesh-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdʒes.tʃər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒes.tʃɚ/ (ame, ipa)

gesture — noun

  • gesturesingular
  • gesturesplural

1. a visible movement of your hands, arms, head, or face that carries a particular

1.名詞B1
釋義

a visible movement of your hands, arms, head, or face that carries a particular meaning or emotion

例句

Ari made a thumbs-up gesture to show that everything was fine.

collocation: make a gesture

Chiara's frantic waving gesture caught the attention of the lifeguard.

adjective + gesture: frantic/threatening/friendly

同義詞
  • signal

    a broader term that can include sounds, lights, or signs, not just body movement

  • sign

    can refer to any communicative indicator, including symbols and written marks

  • motion

    slightly more formal; often used in descriptions of directing or commanding

用法筆記

This sense can be countable (a single hand movement) or uncountable (the general practice of using body movements to communicate).

常見錯誤

He made a gesture with his foot under the table.
He made a gesture with his hand under the table.
💡In English, gesture typically involves the hands, arms, head, or face, not feet.

2. an act or remark whose main purpose is to express a feeling or attitude, even if

2.名詞B2
釋義

an act or remark whose main purpose is to express a feeling or attitude, even if it produces no real or lasting change in the situation

例句

The company gave each worker a small bonus as a gesture of appreciation.

as a gesture of + abstract noun

Nala brought soup to her sick neighbor — a kind gesture that cost very little.

同義詞
  • token

    often implies the gesture is small or symbolic rather than substantial

  • act

    a more neutral, general word that does not carry the 'symbolic' connotation

  • display

    suggests a more public or dramatic expression of feeling

gesture — verb