nodding head

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A head that is moving up and down, especially as a sign of agreement, greeting, or falling asleep.

   Grammar: A noun phrase; the whole thing can be the subject or object: A nodding head appeared at the window.

   Patterns

   • a nodding head
   • with a nodding head
   • see a nodding head

   I could see a nodding head behind the stack of books.

   He answered every question with a slow, nodding head.

   A row of nodding heads showed that the audience agreed with her.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   The act of moving your head down and up, often to show you agree or are listening.

   Grammar: Often used in descriptions of body language rather than as a standalone action.

   Patterns

   • nodding your head
   • nodding of heads

   Nodding your head during a conversation signals that you are following.

   There was a lot of nodding of heads around the table.

Common combinations

a nodding head

From the back of the hall, all I could see was a nodding head.

nod your head

She nodded her head to show she understood.

heads nodding

The teacher looked out at a sea of heads nodding.

nodding head gesture

In many cultures a nodding head gesture means yes.

a gently nodding head

The old man sat by the fire with a gently nodding head.

Synonyms and how they differ

nod

A single quick movement of the head; 'nodding head' describes the head or the repeated action rather than one nod.

head shake

The opposite movement, side to side, usually meaning no; not a synonym but often contrasted.

Opposites

Word family

nod verb

To move your head down and up quickly.

nod noun

A single up-and-down movement of the head.

nodding adjective

Moving the head up and down, as in a nodding acquaintance.

Commonly confused: nodding head or nodding acquaintance? nodding head or noddin?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “nodding head”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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