gestural

adjective

ges·​tur·​al ˈjes-chə-rəl 

ˈjesh-

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of gestures

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by vigorous application of paint and expressive brushwork

gestural expressionism

gesturally

ˈjes-chə-rə-lē 

ˈjesh-

adverb

Examples of gestural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The demonstrator performs an action thrice in response to the gestural command of the experimenter, 3–5 s following which the second experimenter gives the same gestural command to the test subject in a test trial. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

But for all their startling power and sweat, the heavily gestural choreography is presentational rather than dramatic. —David Benedict, Variety, 1 July 2025

Here, the body is the frame, which holds the infinite gestural archives within movement, while highlighting the female form as both the subject and the lens; the image and the image-maker. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025

Moon’s colorful ceramic sculptures and gestural paintings take inspiration from a variety of global cultures. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1