Signs for WITHIN

Because "within" is a preposition or adverb, ASL has its own grammar. For many sentences, there are different possible signs for the English word 'within'.

Meaning: inside or not further than a particular area or space.

Usage examples: "within prison walls

Meaning: during a certain period of time.

Usage examples: "Within three hours of the state's announcement, three of the state's Deaf schools have closed down.

Meaning: inside or not further than period of time; before a certain period of time has passed. See LESS and BEFORE. See HOUR for "within an/the hour".

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Deaf Art

"Looking Within" (2002) Art by Deaf media artist Jolanta Lapiak. Acrylic on 24"x30" canvas. Collector: Jeanine Gingras (2017)

Looking Within art
"Looking Within" (2002) art by Jolanta Lapiak.

Artist statement: "The lady (feminine) looks herself within by closing her eyes. Yet, she still can see through the third eye, looking within deeper (magnifier). She also sees through her heart (glowing pendant). The water in its nature of fluidity symbolizes impermanence. So are the eye-shaped clouds. Impermanence and transformation. The lady immerses in the water (feminine) behind the eye-shaped sunset (all-seeing from within). Being immersed in the water also parallels to an experience of baby surrounded by fluid in the womb - comfort, safety, trust. In the darkness with an illumination in the womb, the being sees through heart and mind."

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Search Tips and Pointers

Search/Filter: Enter a keyword in the filter/search box to see a list of available words with the "All" selection. Click on the page number if needed. Click on the blue link to look up the word. For best result, enter a partial word to see variations of the word.

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Alphabetical letters: It's useful for 1) a single-letter word (such as A, B, etc.) and 2) very short words (e.g. "to", "he", etc.) to narrow down the words and pages in the list.

For best result, enter a short word in the search box, then select the alphetical letter (and page number if needed), and click on the blue link.

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Don't forget to click "All" back when you search another word with a different initial letter.

If you cannot find (perhaps overlook) a word but you can still see a list of links, then keep looking until the links disappear! Sharpening your eye or maybe refine your alphabetical index skill. :)

Add a Word: This dictionary is not exhaustive; ASL signs are constantly added to the dictionary. If you don't find a word/sign, you can send your request (only if a single link doesn't show in the result).

Videos: The first video may be NOT the answer you're looking for. There are several signs for different meanings, contexts, and/or variations. Browsing all the way down to the next search box is highly recommended.

Video speed: Signing too fast in the videos? See HELP in the footer.

ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.