beckon

[bek-uhn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR beckon ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

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

to lure; entice.

noun

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

Origin of beckon

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

Related formsbeck·on·er, nounbeck·on·ing·ly, adverbun·beck·oned, adjective

Synonyms for beckon

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR beckon ON THESAURUS.COM

1. motion, wave, gesture, bid, nod. 2. invite, attract, draw, coax, tempt, tantalize, allure, beguile.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for beckon

attract, invite, entice, tempt, pull, draw, coax, nod, wave, summon, motion, allure, command, demand, ask, gesticulate, sign, bid, gesture

Examples from the Web for beckon

Contemporary Examples of beckon

The firemen confer with the organizers and then beckon them toward the front of the bus.
On the Road With Kesey's (Drug-Free) Acid Test
Nina Strochlic
August 27, 2014
When anarchy seems to beckon, Libya pulls back from the brink.
One Year Later, Libya’s Long Road Continues
Jamie Dettmer
October 22, 2012

Historical Examples of beckon

They can beckon; it is not certain that they will, for they are not love's servants.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
But they can beckon, and the knowledge of this incredible truth comforted him.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
Squalor and tragedy can beckon to all that is great in us, and strengthen the wings of love.
Howards End
E. M. Forster
He took a step toward her, and the rippling scarf seemed to beckon him on.
The Prisoner
Alice Brown
The leader will then repeat louder, or beckon to the scout to come in nearer.
Boy Scouts Handbook
Boy Scouts of America

British Dictionary definitions for beckon

beckon

verb

to summon with a gesture of the hand or head

to entice or lure

noun

a summoning gesture

Derived Formsbeckoner, nounbeckoning, adjective, noun

Word Origin for beckon

Old English bīecnan, from bēacen sign; related to Old Saxon bōknian; see beacon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for beckon

Old English gebecnian (West Saxon beacnian) "to make a mute sign," derivative of beacen "a sign, beacon," from Proto-Germanic *bauknjan (cf. Old Saxon boknian, Old High German bouhnen), from PIE root *bha- "to shine" (see beacon). Related: Beckoned; beckoning. The noun is attested from 1718, from the verb.