How to Sign "Meet" in American Sign Language

In American Sign Language (ASL), MEET is signed with both index fingers pointing up. The two hands start apart with palms facing each other, then move together until they touch. The image is two people walking toward each other and meeting.

Which "meet" this guide covers

This guide explains the ASL sign for the word "meet," because ASL is the main sign language used in the United States. Sign languages are not universal. British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and other national sign languages have their own signs, and this guide does not cover them. If you need the sign for a different country, check with a resource or a signer from that community.

If you were asking about signing during a Google Meet video call, rather than the sign for the word, the camera section near the end covers that.

How to sign MEET step by step

• 1. Make a "1" handshape with each hand: extend the index finger and curl the other fingers into a loose fist with the thumb resting over them.
• 2. Hold both hands in front of your chest, index fingers pointing up, about shoulder-width apart.
• 3. Turn your palms to face each other, as if each hand were a person facing the other.
• 4. Move both hands toward the center in one smooth motion.
• 5. Stop when the hands touch, usually at the knuckles or the palm side of the curled fingers. Do not tap or bounce.

Check the result by watching yourself in a mirror or camera preview. Both index fingers should stay upright the whole time. The movement should be a single, clear approach that ends in contact. A common mistake is pointing the fingers forward or toward each other, which makes the sign harder to recognize.

Related signs that are easy to mix up

English | How it is signed | Difference from MEET

MEET | Two upright index fingers move together once and touch | Represents two individuals meeting

MEETING (a gathering) | Both hands start open with fingers spread and palms facing, then close toward each other into flattened shapes with fingertips touching, often repeated | Represents many people gathering, so it uses all the fingers

NICE TO MEET YOU | NICE (one flat hand slides across the palm of the other), then MEET, then point toward the person for YOU | A phrase built from separate signs; "to" is not signed

Signs can vary by region, age group and community, much like accents in spoken language. The forms above are widely used, but you may see small differences in where the hands touch or how far apart they start. Facial expression and context also carry meaning in ASL, so a friendly expression usually goes with NICE TO MEET YOU.

Signing clearly on a video call

If you plan to sign MEET or other signs on a video call, the camera needs to show your hands as well as your face. These general principles help:

• Framing: position the camera so it shows you from the top of your head to about your waist, with room on both sides for your hands.
• Lighting: put the main light in front of you, not behind, so your hands and face aren't in shadow.
• Background: a plain physical background that contrasts with your skin and clothing makes handshapes easier to read.
• Virtual backgrounds and blur: these effects work by separating you from the background, and fast-moving hands can be blurred or partly cut out. If your fingers look smeared in the preview, turn the effect off and use a plain physical background instead.
• Preview first: open the camera preview before the call and sign a few words. If your hands are clear in the preview, framing and lighting are working. That still doesn't guarantee a clear picture for others, because a slow connection can blur motion.

No verified information was available here about specific sign language features in Google Meet or other calling apps, such as interpreter tools or automatic detection of signing. Check your app's current accessibility settings or documentation rather than assuming a feature exists.