Expressing Body Language and Gestures: English Vocabulary List

to laugh loudly and heartily, especially when something is very funny

"He guffawed loudly at the silly joke."

"The entire audience began to guffaw loudly when the comedian told a very funny joke about his embarrassing experience at the grocery store."

to twist and rub one's hands together out of distress or worry

"Stop wringing your hands now."

"The parents were wringing their hands with worry as they waited for the doctor's diagnosis."

to push out one's lips as an expression of displeasure, anger, or sadness

"The child pouted when he lost the game."

"The little girl began to pout when her older brother refused to share his toys with her even though she had shared her candy with him earlier."

to place one leg over the other, either while sitting or standing

"Please cross your legs politely."

"It is considered polite for ladies to cross their legs when sitting in formal meetings."

to cover one's face with one's hand, particularly the palm, often as an expression of frustration, embarrassment, or disbelief

"She facepalmed at his stupid comment."

"When his friend suggested that the earth was flat he could not help but facepalm at the sheer ignorance of such a ridiculous and false statement."

to make small, restless movements or gestures due to nervousness or impatience

"The nervous child fidgeted in his seat."

"The young boy could not stop fidgeting in his seat during the long church service because he was incredibly bored and wanted to go outside to play."

to twist or squirm violently, from struggle, physical pain, or emotional distress

"The injured man writhed in pain."

"The injured soldier lay on the ground and writhed in pain until the medics arrived to give him morphine and transport him to the field hospital."

to make a buzzing or vibrating sound by blowing air through a curled tongue between the lips, often as a sign of playful teasing

"He blew a raspberry loudly."

"The child blew a raspberry at his sister, which made everyone in the room laugh out loud."

to show a facial expression that signifies shame or pain

"He winced as the needle pricked his arm."

"She could not help but wince when the dentist began to drill into her sensitive tooth even though she had received a local anesthetic injection."

to move in an uncomfortable or restless manner with twisting or contorted motions

"The boy squirmed during the long lecture."

"The little boy began to squirm uncomfortably in his chair when his mother tried to cut his hair with a pair of dull scissors."

to blink quickly in a way that gets someone's attention, often done to show interest or flirt

"She fluttered her eyelashes at him."

"She fluttered her eyelashes at him hoping he would agree to buy her some flowers."