3.5.6 Sign, symbol

Use this domain for words referring to a sign or symbol--a picture or shape that has a meaning.

  • What words refer to an object or picture that represents something?
    sign, symbol, emblem, logo, insignia, flag,

    • 3.5.6.1 Gesture

    Use this domain for words referring to gesturing--moving a part of the body to communicate a message.

    OMC Codes: 
    201 Gestures and Signs
    Louw Nida Codes: 
    33D" Non-Verbal Communication
  • What words refer to gesturing?
    gesture (v), gesticulate, sign (v), make a sign, signal, give the signal, beckon, indicate, motion, nod, non-verbal, shrug, nudge, wave, wink, thumb your nose at,
  • What words refer to a gesture?
    gesture (n), sign (n), signal

    • 3.5.6.2 Point at

    Use this domain for words related to pointing at something--to move a part of your body toward something so that people will look at it.

  • What words refer to indicating something?
    indicate, point to, point at, point out, signal that, gesture towards

    • 3.5.6.3 Facial expression

    Use this domain for facial expressions--ways in which people move the parts of their faces to show feeling or communicate something.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    23B Processes Involving the Mouth, Other Than Eating and Drinking
  • What words refer to a facial expression?
    expression, look, face, countenance, facial expression, the look on someone's face,
  • What words refer to an expression using the eyes?
    stare, glare, roll your eyes, wink, blink, lift your eyes, raise your eyebrows, narrow your eyebrows, wrinkle your brow,
  • What words refer to an expression using the mouth?
    lick your lips, smack your lips, kiss, purse your lips,
  • What words refer to making an expression on your face?
    make a face, get an expression on your face, have an expression on your face, give someone (an expression)
  • What words refer to making a particular expression?
    frown (in disapproval or worry), gape, grimace (in pain), pout, scowl, snarl, start,
  • What words refer to smiling?
    smile, grin, beam, be all smiles, force a smile, smirk, leer, sneer, wide grin, big smile, half smile, slight smile
  • What words refer to starting to smile?
    break into a smile, someone's face lights up,
  • What words describe a face that shows a lot of feeling?
    expressive, animated,
  • What words describe a face that shows no feeling?
    expressionless, impassive, blank, deadpan, inscrutable, poker-faced,
  • What words describe an expression that shows a particular feeling?
    cheerful, solemn, horrified, pained, wry,

    • 3.5.6.4 Laugh

    Use this domain for words related to the expression of good feelings, including laughing--the sounds a person makes when he is enjoying himself or thinks something is funny.

    Related domains: 
    4.2.8 Humor
    3.5.1.8.3 Mock
    Louw Nida Codes: 
    25L Laugh, Cry, Groan x
  • What general words refer to laughing?
    laugh, laughter, laugh at (something), have a laugh
  • What words describe the way a person laughs?
    laugh aloud, laugh out loud, chortle, heehaw, guffaw, cackle, yuck it up, squeal with laughter, canned laughter
  • What words refer to laughing a little or quietly?
    laugh silently, chuckle, giggle, ripple of laughter, titter, twitter,
  • What words refer to laughing a lot or loudly?
    roar with laughter, laugh uproariously, howl with laughter, shriek with laughter, hearty laugh, peals of laughter, laugh helplessly, laugh your head off, laugh hysterically, have hysterics, roll in the aisle, almost die laughing, double up, convulsed with laughter, split your sides
  • What words refer to laughing for a long time?
    can't stop laughing, have the giggles, fall over/about laughing, have a good laugh, laugh till the tears roll down your cheeks
  • What words refer to laughing at someone because they did something wrong?
    laugh at, mock, titter, snicker, snigger
  • What words refer to beginning to laugh?
    start laughing, burst out laughing, burst of laughter, dissolve into laughter
  • What words refer to causing someone to laugh?
    make someone laugh, amuse, crack someone up, have someone in hysterics, have someone in stitches, tickle, ticklish
  • What words describe someone or something that causes people to laugh?
    laughable, amusing, comic, comical, absurd, facetious, humor, humorous, sense of humor
  • What words refer to the sound of a person makes when he is laughing?
    ho ho ho, ha ha ha
  • What words refer to trying not to laugh?
    (try to/can't) keep a straight face, stifle a laugh
  • What words refer to smiling?
    smile, smile at, grin, wide grin, big smile, half smile, slight smile, smirk, crack a smile, beam
  • What other ways do people show they feel good?
    clap, applaud, applause, cheer, jump up and down, jump for joy, dance for joy, shout for joy, make merry, revel, weep for joy, ululate
  • What do people say when they are happy?
    Hurrah! Hooray! Yeah! Three cheers! Hallelujah! Yippee! Yahoo!

    • 3.5.6.5 Cry, tear

    Use this domain for words related to crying--when water forms in the eyes because of sadness or pain.

    Louw Nida Codes: 
    25L Laugh, Cry, Groan x
  • What words refer to crying?
    cry, weep, be in tears, tearful, have tears in your eyes, weeping, weepy, squall,
  • What words refer to crying a lot?
    cry your eyes out, tears roll down your cheeks, eyes full of tears, eyes are brimming with tears, cry your heart out, cry yourself to sleep,
  • What words refer to crying in a noisy way?
    sob, bawl, howl, wail,
  • What words refer to crying in an annoying way?
    snivel, sniffle, whimper, blubber, blub, crybaby,
  • What words refer to starting to cry?
    start to cry, start crying, burst into tears, break down, turn on the waterworks, get teary,
  • What words refer to almost crying?
    be close to tears, have a lump in your throat, fight back tears, choke back the tears,
  • What words refer to crying because something gets in your eyes?
    cry, your eyes water,
  • What words refer to making someone cry?
    make someone cry, reduce someone to tears, bring tears to someone's eyes, tearful, tearjerker,
  • What words refer to a tear?
    tear, teardrop,
  • What do tears do?
    fall, run (down the face), streak,
  • What do people do to tears?
    wipe away, dry
  • What do people say to stop someone from crying?
    don't cry, there there,