gestural

adjective

ges·​tur·​al ˈjes-chə-rəl How to pronounce gestural (audio)
ˈjesh-
Synonyms of gesturalnext
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 adverb

Examples of gestural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Mary Lovelace O’Neal, whose gestural abstractions consistently ran against the grain, defying the demands placed upon Black painters by critics and artists alike, died on Sunday in Mérida, Mexico. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026 In the great room, Gibson took cues from a rug Christian Bérard created for Nelson Rockefeller’s Fifth Avenue apartment, amplifying its gestural floral pattern in a custom carpet and then carrying the motif up the walls. David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 10 Apr. 2026 Loose, gestural ink drawings sit alongside still lifes of treasured objects, flea market finds are arranged like miniature stage sets, and candid snapshots of her Milan existence are collaged with painterly abandon. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2026 Where An Orange Colored Day was gestural and allusive, A Rush to Nowhere is direct. Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gestural

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gestural was in 1613

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Cite this Entry

“Gestural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestural. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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