What does kinesic mean?
Kinesic is an adjective meaning connected with body movements, gestures, and posture as communication. It is especially associated with the study of nonverbal behavior, where movements such as a glance, a shrug, a nod, or a shift in posture can convey meaning alongside or instead of spoken language. A speaker's kinesic cues may suggest confidence, discomfort, attention, disagreement, or other attitudes, although interpretations must be made cautiously because the same movement can have different meanings across cultures and situations. In linguistics and related fields, the term helps distinguish the expressive role of bodily movement from the content of speech. It is more technical than the everyday expression 'body language' and is especially useful in academic writing, research, and precise descriptions of human interaction.
adjectiveRelating to body movements, gestures, or postures as a means of communication. In linguistics, the term is used especially for non-verbal communication conveyed through movement.
- Relating to body movements, gestures, or postures considered as a form of communication.
- Relating to the movements or postures of the body, especially in the study of human nonverbal behavior.
"The speaker's kinesic signals suggested that she was uncomfortable despite her calm expression."
"The researcher recorded the participants' kinesic behavior throughout the interview."
"A firm handshake is a kinesic signal that may convey confidence or formality."
Your gestures can reveal what your words try to hide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of kinesic
The word comes from the Greek roots kinesis, meaning movement, and -ic, meaning relating to or characterized by. It entered English through the development of scientific vocabulary concerned with movement, including kinesics, the study of gestures and body movement. The related English words kinetic, kinetics, and kinesiology share the same Greek root and reflect its long use in discussions of motion and bodily movement.
Related word forms
How kinesic is actually used
Kinesic is primarily used in academic or specialist contexts, especially linguistics, anthropology, and communication studies. It is less common in everyday speech than words such as 'gesture' or 'body language'.
Easily confused with kinesic
Kinesic refers to the communication conveyed by body movements, whereas kinesthetic more commonly describes the sense of body position and movement or learning through physical experience.