gesticulate

verb

ges·​tic·​u·​late je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlāt 

gesticulated; gesticulating

intransitive verb

: to make gestures especially when speaking

arguing and gesticulating wildly

gesticulative

je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

gesticulator

je-ˈsti-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

gesticulatory

je-ˈsti-kyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Examples of gesticulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their remaining team-mates applauded the away enclosure, but many in that section were gesticulating their disdain. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

During the third set against Jarry, Norrie gesticulated often at a row of young men just in front of me, who were urging him on. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025

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

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

Rhymes for gesticulate

• apiculate
• denticulate
• geniculate
• particulate
• reticulate
• inarticulate

Kids Definition

gesticulate

verb

ges·​tic·​u·​late je-ˈstik-yə-ˌlāt 

gesticulated; gesticulating

: to make gestures especially when speaking

gesticulation

-ˌstik-yə-ˈlā-shən

noun