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Hand Gestures in English and What They Mean

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Communication is not only about words. In English-speaking countries, people use hand gestures all the time to greet, agree, get attention and show how they feel. Knowing the most common gestures, and the English verbs that describe them, helps you understand conversations and respond in the right way.

This guide lists the most common hand gestures in English, what each one means, and the few you should use with care because they can be rude or mean something different in other cultures. There is a video at the end so you can test yourself.

Hand Gestures in English

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Common hand gestures and what they mean

Gesture What it means When you see it
thumbs up approval, “good”, “well done”, “yes” When someone likes your idea or says everything is fine.
thumbs down disapproval, “bad”, “no” To show you do not like or agree with something.
OK sign “okay”, “fine”, “perfect” (thumb and index finger in a circle) To confirm something is good or correct.
wave “hello” or “goodbye”; also to get attention When greeting, saying bye, or signalling across a room.
shake hands a greeting, or to seal an agreement When meeting someone or closing a deal.
raise your hand to ask to speak or to get attention In a class, meeting or conference.
clap (applaud) to show approval, praise or thanks After a performance, a speech or good news.
beckon to call someone over (“come here”) Curl your fingers or wave your hand towards you.
snap your fingers to get attention quickly Used to call attention, though it can seem impatient or rude.
crossed fingers to wish for good luck “Fingers crossed” you pass the exam.
shaka sign Hawaiian for “hi”, “bye”, “relax” or “cool” (thumb and little finger out) A friendly, laid-back greeting, common in Hawaii and surfing culture.

Gestures and tone bring a language to life. The best way to read them and use them naturally is real conversation. Book a free trial lesson and practice speaking with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.

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The English verbs for gestures

To talk about gestures, you need the right verbs. Here are the most useful ones.

Verb Meaning Example
to wave to move your hand to say hello or goodbye She waved at me from the bus.
to clap to hit your hands together to show approval The audience clapped loudly.
to point to show direction or a thing with your finger He pointed at the map.
to beckon to signal someone to come closer The waiter beckoned us to a table.
to nod to move your head down to mean “yes” She nodded in agreement.
to shrug to lift your shoulders to mean “I don’t know” He just shrugged when I asked.

Gestures to use with care

Some gestures are friendly in English-speaking countries but rude or different elsewhere. When you are not sure, it is safer not to use them.

The middle finger is a strong insult, so avoid it. The thumbs up and the OK sign are positive in the UK and the US, but can be offensive in parts of the Middle East, West Africa, Brazil and Turkey. Gestures travel less well than words, so when in doubt, use your words.

Test yourself

Watch this video with our teacher Shane and see how many hand gestures you remember.

Frequently asked questions

What does a thumbs up mean in English?
A thumbs up means approval. It is a friendly way to say “good”, “well done”, “yes” or “everything is fine” in English-speaking countries. Be aware that in some other cultures the same gesture can be offensive.
What does the OK hand sign mean?
The OK sign, made with the thumb and index finger forming a circle, means “okay”, “fine” or “perfect” in the UK and the US. In some countries, such as Brazil and Turkey, it is rude, so use it with care when travelling.
How do you politely call someone over in English?
Beckon them: hold your hand up with the palm towards you and curl your fingers in, or wave your hand gently towards yourself. You can add words like “Could you come here for a second?” to be extra polite.
Are hand gestures the same in every country?
No. Many gestures differ from culture to culture, and some that are positive in English-speaking countries can be offensive elsewhere. When you are unsure, it is safer to use words instead of a gesture.
What hand gestures should you avoid?
Avoid the middle finger, which is a strong insult everywhere. Be careful with the thumbs up and the OK sign in countries where they can be rude, and avoid snapping your fingers at people, which can seem impatient or disrespectful.

Key takeaways

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Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.