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Meaning & use

salaam gesture

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/səˈlɑːm ˌdʒestʃə/
US/səˈlɑːm ˌdʒestʃər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A greeting in which a person bows slightly and brings the right hand to the forehead or heart, common in Islamic and South Asian cultures.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a salaam gesture' or 'salaam gestures'.

    Patterns

    • perform a salaam gesture
    • give someone a salaam gesture

    He greeted the elders with a respectful salaam gesture.

    In some cultures, a salaam gesture is used to show respect when meeting someone important.

    She responded with a gentle salaam gesture and a smile.

  2. nouncountablereligion

    The act of bowing and touching the forehead as a sign of respect or worship in certain religious contexts.

    Grammar: Often used in the plural when referring to repeated actions.

    Patterns

    • make a salaam gesture
    • salaam gesture of respect

    During the ceremony, the worshippers made a salaam gesture toward the altar.

    The salaam gesture is a way of showing humility before God.

Word forms

pluralsalaam gestures

Common combinations

perform a salaam gesture
The visitor performed a salaam gesture before entering the room.
respectful salaam gesture
He offered a respectful salaam gesture to his teacher.
salaam gesture of greeting
The salaam gesture of greeting is common in many Muslim countries.
give a salaam gesture
She gave a quick salaam gesture as she passed by.

Synonyms and how they differ

salaam
This can refer to the spoken greeting or the whole act; 'salaam gesture' specifies the physical movement.
bow
A bow is a more general bending of the body; a salaam gesture is specifically with the hand to the forehead or heart.
obeisance
Obeisance is a formal word for any show of respect, often a bow; it is less specific than 'salaam gesture'.

Word family

salaam noun
The greeting itself, which can be spoken or performed as a gesture.
salaam verb
To greet someone with a salaam.

Commonly confused: salaam gesture or salute?

salaam gesture vs salute

A salute is a formal military or naval greeting, often with the hand to the forehead, but it is not the same as a salaam gesture, which is a cultural and religious greeting.

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