beckon
Americanverb (used with or without object)
noun
verb
-
to summon with a gesture of the hand or head
-
to entice or lure
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
beckonsimple
-
beckonssimple
-
have beckonedperfect
-
has beckonedperfect
-
am beckoningprogressive
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are beckoningprogressive
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is beckoningprogressive
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have been beckoningperfect progressive
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has been beckoningperfect progressive
Past
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beckonedsimple
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had beckonedperfect
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was beckoningprogressive
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were beckoningprogressive
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had been beckoningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of beckon
before 950; Middle English beknen, Old English gebē ( a ) cnian, derivative of bēacen beacon
Explanation
To beckon is to use a physical gesture to call someone over to you. Universally recognized gestures used to beckon include crooking the finger or nodding the head to invite someone over. We get the word beckon from the Old English gebecnian, meaning "to make a mute sign," which comes from bēacen, meaning "a sign or beacon." (Remember that "beacon" is a noun while beckon is a verb). When you beckon to someone, you give them a physical sign to "come here." Figuratively, an ice cream sundae might beckon you, calling you away from your diet.
Vocabulary lists containing beckon
List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beckon the waiter imperiously and call for a perfumed roll of Bounty?
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2014
With Martz in the House, Playoffs Beckon In Alaska, where I recently visited, it’s hard not to notice the bears.
From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2010
The man who lives in Babylon May poorly sup and fare, But loves and lures from the ends of the earth Beckon him everywhere.
From The Moon Endureth: Tales and Fancies by Buchan, John
Their singing-boys and organs thrill lonely hearts; Their blue welling clouds of incense Bring a pungent smell as of burning flowers, And their gleaming candles Beckon like lights of home across the twilight.
From Acanthus and Wild Grape by Call, Frank Oliver
Hope and Joy together, Standing at the goal, Through life's darkest weather Beckon on the soul.
From Sanders' Union Fourth Reader by Sanders, Charles W.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
