gesticulate

verb

ges·​tic·​u·​late je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce gesticulate (audio)
gesticulated; gesticulating

intransitive verb

: to make gestures especially when speaking
arguing and gesticulating wildly
gesticulative adjective
gesticulator noun
gesticulatory adjective

Examples of gesticulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His franticly gesticulating Iago is a force of nature, and the Tony nominee (for 2021’a Sea Wall/A Life) showcases his character’s charm, cunning, and spite in equally emphatic measure. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025 On benches beneath a massive palm tree, a group of older gentlemen talked and gesticulated, umbrellas propped between their knees. Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025 Someone turned on the tv, where two commentators in yellow blazers gesticulated wildly, announcing every three minutes that the game was about to start — until another stream of advertisements cut them off, delaying the kickoff yet again. Felix Nesi (tr. Lara Norgaard), The Dial, 21 Jan. 2024 On benches beneath a massive palm tree, a group of older gentlemen talked and gesticulated, umbrellas propped between their knees. Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesticulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin gesticulatus, past participle of gesticulari, from *gesticulus, diminutive of gestus — see gesture entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gesticulate was circa 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gesticulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesticulate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

gesticulate

verb
ges·​tic·​u·​late je-ˈstik-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce gesticulate (audio)
gesticulated; gesticulating
: to make gestures especially when speaking
gesticulation
-ˌstik-yə-ˈlā-shən
noun

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