beckon

American  

[bek-uhn] / ˈbɛk ən /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand.

   Synonyms:

   nod, bid, gesture, wave, motion

2. to lure; entice.

   Synonyms:

   beguile, allure, tantalize, tempt, coax, draw, attract, invite

---

noun

1. a nod, gesture, etc., that signals, directs, summons, indicates agreement, or the like.

beckon British  

/ ˈbɛkən /

verb

1. to summon with a gesture of the hand or head

2. to entice or lure

---

noun

1. a summoning gesture

Other Word Forms

• beckoner noun
• beckoning adjective
• beckoningly adverb
• unbeckoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of beckon

before 950; Middle English beknen, Old English gebē ( a ) cnian, derivative of bēacen beacon

Example Sentences

She beckoned the longma, spoke to it, and offered it some meat from a bag she wore on her hip.

From Literature

The balustrades are dark wood, and the twisted inlays remind me of crooked fingers, beckoning.

From Literature

Despite the problems Alcaraz continued winning points and holding serve in set four as his movement improved, and another tiebreak beckoned with the third seed again coming out on top.

From Barron's

She beckons with her fingers, her eyes kind.

From Literature

And I like the idea that there will always be someone—or a ghost of someone—beckoning them home, no matter how far they’ve drifted.

From Literature

Related Words

• attract
• entice
• invite
• tempt