How to Sign "Meeting"

Start with both hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other with your fingers spread open. Bring your hands together while simultaneously closing your fingers to touch your thumbs, forming flattened 'O' shapes. As your hands meet in the middle, the closed fingertips of both hands should be touching or very close to each other.

Examples Using "Meeting" in a Sentence

1

I have a meeting at noon.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'HAVE', then use the sign for 'MEETING', followed by 'TIME' and '12'.

2

The meeting was canceled.

Start by signing 'MEETING', then use the sign for 'CANCELED' by drawing an 'X' across your non-dominant palm with your dominant index finger.

3

Are you going to the meeting?

Sign 'YOU', 'GO', and 'MEETING'. Remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while signing, as this is a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Meeting"
Start with both hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other with your fingers spread open. Bring your hands together while simultaneously closing your fingers to touch your thumbs, forming flattened 'O' shapes. As your hands meet in the middle, the closed fingertips of both hands should be touching or very close to each other.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually logical. The open fingers represent multiple individuals who are scattered or separate. As the hands move toward each other and the fingers close together, it visually depicts those individuals converging into a single, unified group.
Signing Tips
Think of your fingers as individual people. As your hands come together and the fingers close, visualize those people gathering in one place. Make sure the movement is crisp and deliberate to clearly convey the concept of a scheduled gathering.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the hands flat or simply clapping them together. Remember to start with open fingers and close them into flattened 'O' shapes as they meet, which is essential to the sign's meaning of bringing a group together.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Meeting" in a Sentence
1

I have a meeting at noon.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'HAVE', then use the sign for 'MEETING', followed by 'TIME' and '12'.

2

The meeting was canceled.

Start by signing 'MEETING', then use the sign for 'CANCELED' by drawing an 'X' across your non-dominant palm with your dominant index finger.

3

Are you going to the meeting?

Sign 'YOU', 'GO', and 'MEETING'. Remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while signing, as this is a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'meeting' and 'meet'?

The sign for 'meet' typically uses two '1' handshapes (index fingers pointing up) coming together to represent two individuals meeting. The sign for 'meeting' uses all fingers to represent a larger group of people gathering together.

Can I use this sign for a casual get-together?

While you can, this sign is most commonly used for formal, scheduled gatherings like work or school meetings. For a casual gathering with friends, you might prefer signs like 'hang out' or 'socialize'.

Does the sign need to be repeated?

It is usually signed with a single, firm movement to indicate a specific meeting. However, a slight repeated motion can sometimes be used to emphasize the ongoing nature of a gathering or to indicate multiple meetings.

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