How to Sign "Great" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), "great" is commonly expressed with the sign often glossed as WONDERFUL or GREAT. Raise both open hands to about shoulder or head height with your palms facing forward, then push them forward slightly with a short, repeated movement. Pair the sign with a positive facial expression. In ASL, facial expression is part of how meaning and emphasis come across.

One clarification changes the answer: there is no single sign language. ASL, British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and many others are separate languages with their own vocabularies. The sign described here is the ASL version, which is the one most relevant in the US. If you need "great" in another sign language, check a dictionary or a fluent signer for that specific language. Do not assume the ASL sign carries over.

Step by step

• 1. Open both hands with your fingers together or slightly spread, and keep them relaxed rather than stiff.
• 2. Raise your hands to around shoulder or head height, a little in front of your body.
• 3. Turn your palms so they face away from you, toward the person you are talking to.
• 4. Move both hands forward a short distance and back, usually two small repetitions.
• 5. Keep your face engaged. A smile, raised eyebrows or a nod supports the positive meaning.

Related ways to say "great"

Signers often use a thumbs-up as a casual gesture of approval, much as hearing people do. It is a widely understood gesture, but it is not the same as the ASL sign above. Depending on context, ASL users may also choose a different sign such as GOOD or COOL. These have their own handshapes and movements. This guide does not describe them in detail because the supplied material did not cover them.

Checking your signing on a video call

If you plan to use the sign on a video call, test it in your camera's self-view first. A camera that turns on, a picture that shows your whole signing space and a signer who is clearly readable to others are three separate checks. Confirm each one.

• Framing: Sit far enough back that both hands remain visible when raised to head height. If your hands leave the frame, the sign is cut off.
• Mirroring: Many call apps mirror your self-view, so movements appear reversed to you. The other person usually sees the unmirrored image, so don't "correct" the sign based on how the preview looks.
• Lighting: Light your face and hands from the front. A bright window behind you can darken your hands and make handshapes harder to read.
• Background: A plain, uncluttered physical background with color contrast against your skin and clothing helps your hands stand out.
• Virtual effects: Virtual backgrounds and blur effects can sometimes clip or smear moving hands. If you notice that in the preview, switch the effect off and use a plain physical background instead.

Limitations of this guide

This article relies on general, widely documented knowledge of ASL. No specific source material was supplied to confirm the details. Signs can vary by region, community and generation. A written description also cannot fully convey movement, speed or facial grammar. To confirm the sign, compare it with a reputable ASL video dictionary or ask a Deaf or fluent ASL signer.