What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pantomiming
Example
The actor pantomimed opening a door to indicate that the character was entering a room. [pantomimed: past tense verb]
Example
She pantomimed drinking from a cup to show that she was thirsty. [pantomiming: gerund or present participle]
gesticulating
Example
He gesticulated wildly as he told the story of his encounter with the bear. [gesticulated: past tense verb]
Example
She was gesticulating so much during her speech that her bracelet flew off her wrist. [gesticulating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gesticulating is more commonly used in everyday language than pantomiming. Gesticulating is a natural part of communication and is used to emphasize or illustrate speech, while pantomiming is less common and is typically associated with theater or performance contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pantomiming and gesticulating?
Both pantomiming and gesticulating are informal forms of communication. However, gesticulating is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while pantomiming is typically associated with performance and is less commonly used in formal settings.
