Sign Language • ASL Dictionary
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ASL to English reverse dictionary
Don't know what a sign-word mean? Search ASL to English reverse dictionary to find what an ASL sign-word means.
Language Building
Learning ASL words does not equate with learning the language. Learn the language beyond words in sign language, such as grasping the nuances of meanings of signwords, grammatical inflections, contexts, and more.
Contextual meaning
Some ASL signs in the dictionary may not mean the same in different contexts and/or ASL sentences. A meaning of a word or phrase can change in sentences and contexts. Explore synonyms to enhance meanings. You will see some examples in video sentences.
Grammar
Many ASL words, especially verbs, in the dictionary are a "base"; be aware that many of them can be grammatically inflected within ASL sentences. Some entries have sentence examples.
Production
Sign production or "pronunciation": A change or modification of one of the parameters of the sign, such as handshape, movement, palm orientation, location, and non-manual signals (e.g. facial expressions) can change a meaning or a subtle variety of meaning. Or mispronunciation.
Variation
Some ASL signs have regional (and generational) variations across North America. Some common variations are included as much as possible, but for specifically local variations, interact with your local community to learn their local variations.
Fingerspelling
When there is no word in one language, borrowing is a loanword from another language. In sign language, manual alphabet is used to represent a word of the spoken/written language.
Language
American Sign Language (ASL) is very much alive and indefinitely constructable as any spoken language. The best way to use ASL right is to immerse in daily language interactions and conversations with Ameslan/Deaf people (or ASLians) across Deaf community in the United States and Canada.
Sentence building
Browse phrases and sentences to learn sign language, specifically vocabulary, grammar, and how its sentence structure works.
Sign Language Dictionary
According to the archives online, did you know that this online ASL dictionary is the oldest sign language dictionary online since 1997 (DWW which was renamed to Handspeak in 2000)?
Pointers to remember
This dictionary is not exhaustive; the ASL signs are constantly added to the dictionary. If you don't find the word/sign, you can send your request via email. Browse the alphabetical letters or search a signed word above.
Regional variation: there may be regional variations of some ASL words across the regions of North America.
Inflection: most ASL words in the dictionary are a "base", but many of them are grammatically inflectable within ASL sentences.
Contextual meaning: These ASL signs in the dictionary may not mean the same in different contexts and/or ASL sentences. You will see some examples in video sentences.
ASL is very much alive and indefinitely constructable as any spoken language. The best way to use ASL right is to immerse in daily interaction with Deaf Ameslan people (ASLers).