waving

Waving is a gesture in which a person moves the hand or arm back and forth to communicate a message or attract attention. The most common form involves an open hand or a loose fist, moved in a rapid, repetitive side-to-side motion, usually with the palm facing toward the observer. Waving can be performed with one hand or with two, and the amplitude and speed vary by context and individual.

Purposes include greeting and saying goodbye, drawing attention in a crowded setting, signaling acknowledgment, or conveying encouragement or congratulations. Waving is a form of nonverbal communication and is widely understood across many communities, though the precise form and interpretation can vary by culture and situation.

Other common variants include the stadium wave, a coordinated audience movement that travels around a venue; a casual wave to a neighbor; and a formal wave performed by public figures as a greeting. Waving can also serve practical purposes when voice communication is difficult, such as at a distance or in noisy environments.

From a bodily perspective, waving involves movement of the forearm and wrist, while facial expressions and context refine meaning. In studies of nonverbal communication, waving is cited as a basic, widely recognized gesture, with meanings that are learned and situational.