Hand gestures are simple movements we make with our hands to express thoughts, emotions, or messages without using words. People use hand gestures every day while talking, greeting, or giving directions. These gestures can mean different things in different cultures, so understanding them is important for clear and respectful communication. Learning the names of hand gestures in English helps students, travelers, and language learners describe actions more easily. In this article, you will learn 80 common hand gestures names and their and pictures to help you learn and recognize them in a fun and simple way.
80 Hand gestures names in English
- Rubbing hands
- Patting gesture
- Scratch gesture
- Hand on heart
- Face touching
- Elbow nudging
- Wrist rubbing
- Fingertip tapping
- Palm rubbing
- Thumb twiddling
- Finger drumming
- Wrist flicking
- Fist pounding
- Fingernail tapping
- Thumb pressing
- Finger circling
- Hand twisting
- Palm slapping
- Finger flicking
- Wrist bending
Hand Gestures Names in English and Their Pictures
- Rubbing hands
Moving both hands together, usually to show excitement or cold.
- Patting gesture
Gently tapping someone or something with an open hand to show comfort or approval.
- Scratch gesture
Rubbing the skin with fingernails to stop itching or show nervousness.
- Hand on heart
Placing a hand on the chest to show honesty or feeling.
- Face touching
Putting a hand or finger on the face, often done when thinking or lying.
- Wrist rubbing
Moving a hand over the wrist, usually when nervous or stressed.
- Fingertip tapping
Tapping the fingertips on a surface to show impatience or boredom.
- Palm rubbing
Moving the palms together quickly, often showing eagerness or planning.
- Thumb twiddling
Rotating the thumbs around each other, usually when bored.
- Finger drumming
Lightly tapping fingers in a row on a surface, showing waiting or irritation.
- Fist pounding
Hitting a surface with a closed hand to show anger or emphasis.
- Fingernail tapping
Tapping nails on a surface, often done when anxious or waiting.
- Thumb pressing
Pushing with the thumb, often showing thought or control.
- Finger circling
Moving the finger in a round motion to show thinking or giving direction.
- Hand twisting
Turning the hands around each other, often showing worry.
- Palm slapping
Hitting the palm quickly, often done to show frustration or call attention.
- Finger flicking
Snapping the finger to make a sound, usually to get someone’s attention.
- Wrist bending
Moving the wrist up or down, usually part of expressive hand movement.
Hand Gestures Names in English and Their Pictures
Common Hand Signs Names
- Ear grabbing
- Nose tapping
- Chin stroking
- Hand flexing
- Knuckle cracking
- Finger tracing
- Hand opening
- Hand closing
- Wave
- Point
- Thumbs up
- Throat slash gesture
- Finger wag
- Money gesture
- Heart sign
- Open palm
- Closed palm
- Fist shake
- Wrist flick
- Wrist twist
List of Gestures names with their Pictures
- Ear grabbing
Holding or pulling the ear, often done when thinking or feeling shy.
- Nose tapping
Lightly touching the nose, sometimes to show a secret or inside joke.
- Hand flexing
Opening and closing the hand to loosen up or show readiness.
- Knuckle cracking
Making a popping sound by bending the fingers, often done out of habit or stress.
- Finger tracing
Gently moving a finger along a shape or surface, often done when distracted or focused.
- Hand opening
Spreading the fingers wide, usually to show calmness or readiness to help.
- Hand closing
Making a fist or closing the fingers, often to show anger or strength.
- Wave
Moving the hand side to side to greet or say goodbye.
- Point
Using one finger to show direction or draw attention to something.
- Thumbs up
Raising the thumb to show approval or agreement.
- Throat slash gesture
Moving a hand across the neck, often used jokingly to show something is finished or dangerous.
- Finger wag
Moving the index finger side to side to warn or say “no.”
- Money gesture
Rubbing the tips of the thumb and fingers together to show money or payment.
- Heart sign
Making a heart shape using two hands to show love or care.
- Open palm
Showing the inside of the hand, often a sign of honesty or peace.
- Closed palm
Keeping the hand shut tight, can show secrecy or tension.
- Fist shake
Moving a clenched fist in the air to show anger or celebration.
- Wrist flick
A quick flip of the wrist to dismiss something or give attitude.
- Wrist twist
Rotating the wrist around, often seen in dance or to relax the joint.
List of Gestures names with their Pictures
80 Hand Signs and Their Meaning
- Fist in palm
- Raised pinky finger
- Peace fingers behind the head
- Silence gesture
- Begging hands
- Holding hands together
- Beckoning gesture
- Flat hand
- Knuckle tap
- Hand spreading
- Hand squeezing
- Hand rubbing
- Cheek pinching
- Shoulder shrug
- Cupping gesture
- Throwing gesture
- Index finger to lips
- Finger to temple gesture
- Stretched hand
- Tensed fingers
Basic Hand Gestures Names in English with Pictures
- Fist in palm
One hand makes a fist and hits the other palm, showing anger or a promise.
- Raised pinky finger
Lifting the pinky can show elegance, a tiny promise, or sometimes disrespect.
- Peace fingers behind the head
A fun gesture where two fingers are held up behind someone’s head like bunny ears.
- Silence gesture
Placing a finger on the lips to signal someone to be quiet.
- Begging hands
Both hands pressed together in front of the chest, used when asking or pleading.
- Holding hands together
Joining both hands, often to show waiting, calmness, or politeness.
- Beckoning gesture
Moving the fingers or hand toward yourself to call someone closer.
- Flat hand
A straight hand used to signal stop, calm down, or attention.
- Knuckle tap
Tapping knuckles with someone as a friendly greeting or sign of respect.
- Hand spreading
Stretching fingers apart to show readiness or openness.
- Hand squeezing
Pressing the hand tightly, often done to relieve stress or show worry.
- Hand rubbing
Rubbing both hands together, showing excitement or planning something.
- Cheek pinching
Lightly squeezing someone’s cheek to show affection or fondness.
- Cupping gesture
Forming the hand like a small bowl, often used to hold or receive something.
- Throwing gesture
Moving the hand forward as if tossing something, used to show giving or sending away.
- Finger to temple gesture
Pointing to the side of the head, usually to show thinking or being clever.
- Stretched hand
Extending the hand outward, often to ask for help or offer something.
- Tensed fingers
Stiff, tight fingers showing fear, stress, or strong emotion.
Basic Hand Gestures Names in English with Pictures
Hand Signs Meanings in English
- Clapping
- Flicking fingers
- Smoking gesture
- Phone gesture
- Writing gesture
- Thumbs down
- Okay sign
- Finger snap
- Crossed fingers
- Clenched fist
- Raised index finger
- Nodding
- Shushing gesture
- Praying hands
- Tapping fingers
- Stroking chin
- Blowing a kiss
- Shaka sign
- Stop gesture
- Waving goodbye
All Hand Gestures Names in English with Pictures
- Clapping
Hitting both hands together to show joy, praise, or support.
- Flicking fingers
Snapping fingers quickly, often to get attention or express sass.
- Smoking gesture
Two fingers raised to the lips, pretending to hold a cigarette.
- Phone gesture
Thumb and pinky extended like a phone to suggest calling.
- Writing gesture
Moving fingers like holding a pen to show writing or note-taking.
- Thumbs down
Pointing the thumb down to show disapproval or dislike.
- Okay sign
Making a circle with thumb and finger to show everything is fine.
- Finger snap
Pressing the thumb and finger to make a snapping sound, used to get attention.
- Crossed fingers
Fingers crossed to wish for luck or hope for the best.
- Clenched fist
A tight fist that shows anger, strength, or unity.
- Raised index finger
Pointing one finger up to showan idea, warning, or question.
- Nodding
Moving the head up and down to show agreement or yes.
- Shushing gesture
Finger over lips to ask for silence or quiet.
- Praying hands
Both palms pressed together, often used for prayer or request.
- Tapping fingers
Lightly tapping fingertips on a surface to show impatience or thinking.
- Stroking chin
Rubbing the chin slowly, showing someone is thinking deeply.
- Blowing a kiss
Kissing the hand and pretending to blow it, showing love or goodbye.
- Shaka sign
Thumb and pinky out, others closed, used in surfing culture to say “relax” or “hang loose.”
- Stop gesture
Hand held up with palm out to signal someone to stop.
- Waving goodbye
Moving the hand side to side to say farewell or see you later.
All Hand Gestures Names in English with Pictures
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