Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A turning of one's head to the right and left, signifying denial, disapproval, disbelief, doubt, or bewilderment.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A significant shake of the head.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A significant shake of the head, commonly as a signal of denial.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun a
shake of thehead
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the act of turning your head left and right to signify denial or disbelief or bemusement
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word headshake.
Examples
-
"He could've flapped the wings better," Brandon Jacobs chastised later with a disappointed headshake.
Giants Fly Past Falcons on Way to Green Bay Aditi Kinkhabwala 2012
-
Dr. Sandra behind me has her hand on my shoulder, and I can feel the movement of her sympathetic headshake, reserved for only the most serious cases we see.
Kirin Gupta: How A Dying Woman Taught Me To Have Faith Kirin Gupta 2011
-
Then I would employ my halfhearted headshake, neither “yes” nor “no,” just a bobble-headed, widowy nod that I had recently adopted.
With Love and Laughter, John Ritter Amy Yasbeck 2010
-
At some point, usually around nine-ish, I would be faced with the inevitable headshake/tongue cluck/question from a customer about having a baby puppy out so late.
With Love and Laughter, John Ritter Amy Yasbeck 2010
-
June 15, 2010 at 12:04 pm hunh. there i am. with a vedyvedy old avatart.*slow,sad, headshake*
I’m gonna grab me a snack. - Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? 2010
-
The fronsh hav a very gud saying for this… almost as gud as “slow, sad headshake…”
First Visit From Mouse Aliens - Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? 2010
-
I cast a quick look at Jamie, who responded with a trace of a headshake.
Sick Cycle Carousel 2010
-
With a distressed eyeroll at Seanglenn Beckhannity, and a weary headshake at Keithrachel Olbermaddowman, not to mention clenched fists of despair at TalkRadio VonHateScream, let me remind the rest of us -- aka. most people -- that just because the makers of so called News think Balanced and Thoughtful is some long-ago folk duo, it doesn't mean we should join in the sneerfest, and passively watch as standards continue to plummet.
-
Rick shook his head, not the headshake meaning no, but the one for not much hope, a feeling I didnt understand.
Dog on It Spencer Quinn 2009
-
Rick shook his head, not the headshake meaning no, but the one for not much hope, a feeling I didnt understand.
Dog on It Spencer Quinn 2009
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.