How to Sign "Completely"

To sign 'completely,' hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with a flat handshape, palm facing inward and the thumb edge pointing up. Form your dominant hand into a flat handshape with the palm facing down. Slide the palm of your dominant hand across the top edge of your non-dominant hand, moving smoothly in a single sweeping motion.

Examples Using "Completely" in a Sentence

1

I completely forgot my keys.

Sign 'completely' before 'forgot' to emphasize that the thought entirely left your mind and the forgetting was absolute.

2

The room is completely dark.

Use this sign to show that the darkness is total, filling the entire space with no light remaining.

3

I completely understand the lesson.

Pair 'completely' with 'understand' to convey that you have a full, total grasp of the topic without any confusion.

How to Sign "Completely"
To sign 'completely,' hold your non-dominant hand in front of you with a flat handshape, palm facing inward and the thumb edge pointing up. Form your dominant hand into a flat handshape with the palm facing down. Slide the palm of your dominant hand across the top edge of your non-dominant hand, moving smoothly in a single sweeping motion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually represents the concept of something being filled to the very top. The non-dominant hand acts as a container, while the dominant hand sliding across the top edge illustrates that the contents have reached the absolute limit and are completely full.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and use a single, smooth sliding motion with your dominant hand. Imagine you are leveling off a measuring cup filled to the brim. Ensure both hands maintain a flat, closed-finger shape throughout the sign.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is bouncing or repeating the sliding motion, which can make the sign look unclear. It should be one single, decisive sweep. Another mistake is using a loose or curved handshape instead of keeping the hands flat and firm.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Completely" in a Sentence
1

I completely forgot my keys.

Sign 'completely' before 'forgot' to emphasize that the thought entirely left your mind and the forgetting was absolute.

2

The room is completely dark.

Use this sign to show that the darkness is total, filling the entire space with no light remaining.

3

I completely understand the lesson.

Pair 'completely' with 'understand' to convey that you have a full, total grasp of the topic without any confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign the same as the sign for 'full'?

Yes, this sign is commonly used for both 'completely' and 'full.' The context of your sentence and your facial expressions will help clarify the exact meaning you intend to convey.

Can I use this sign to mean 'finished'?

While it means 'completely' in the sense of being full or total, the sign for 'finished' (flipping both open hands outward) is usually better for expressing that an action or task is completed.

Should my hands touch during this sign?

Yes, the palm of your dominant hand should lightly touch and slide across the top edge of your non-dominant hand to clearly show the 'leveling off' or 'filled to the brim' concept.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!