Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 5) - Body Language and Gestures

to hold someone tightly in one's arms, especially to show affection

to express a meaning with a movement of the hands, face, head, etc.

to move one's head up and down as a sign of agreement, understanding, or greeting

to take someone's hand and move it up and down, mainly for greeting

to make our mouth curve upwards, often in a way that our teeth can be seen, to show that we are happy or amused

to raise one's hand and move it from side to side to greet someone or attract their attention

to tightly and closely hold someone in one's arms, typically a person one loves

to touch someone else's lips or other body parts with one's lips to show love, sexual desire, respect, etc.

to enthusiastically slap someone's raised palm with your own as a celebration, greeting, or show of agreement

to make happy sounds and move our face like we are smiling because something is funny

to give someone a sign of welcoming or a polite word when meeting them

to bring your eyebrows closer together showing anger, sadness, or confusion

to drop one's eyebrows, chin, or gaze to express sadness, disapproval, or shame, or to show less intensity or hostility in a facial expression

to bend one's head downward, particularly as an act of agreement, greeting, etc.

to hit someone or something gently, often with a few quick light blows

an instance or gesture that indicates approval or satisfaction

used to indicate failure or disapproval

to draw back involuntarily, often in response to fear, pain, embarrassment, or discomfort

to make a kissing gesture with one's hand or lips and send it toward another person as a sign of affection

to hope for good luck or a positive outcome, often literally or symbolically overlapping the middle finger over the index finger

to laugh in a light, silly, or often uncontrollable way as a result of nervousness or embarrassment

to press one's teeth against the lip as a reaction to emotion, pain, or to prevent oneself from saying something

to unexpectedly open one's mouth wide and deeply breathe in because of being bored or tired

to link hands with someone as an expression of affection, unity, or support

to give someone a message, instruction, etc. by making a sound or movement

to cause surprise, curiosity, or mild shock among people due to something unconventional, unexpected, or controversial

to meet and greet someone who has just arrived

to show the place or direction of someone or something by holding out a finger or an object