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.
With the Bucks 20 points down and just under four minutes on the clock, Antetokounmpo was driving towards the basket, attempting to fend off the Spurs’ defense, when Paul appeared to push the Bucks star who tumbled over and immediately began gesticulating and shouting. Issy Ronald, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025 Few Democrats talk about impeachment or sustain their alarm over incipient fascism, even with Elon Musk possibly gesticulating like a Nazi. Ross Barkan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 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 Jaiswal dropped a trio of catches, which did prove costly for India, on day four with a visibly irate Rohit gesticulating wildly as his emotions bubbled over. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near gesticulate

Cite this Entry

“Gesticulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gesticulate. Accessed 11 Feb. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on gesticulate

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