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
-
are beckoningprogressive
-
is beckoningprogressive
-
have been beckoningperfect progressive
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has been beckoningperfect progressive
Past
-
beckonedsimple
-
had beckonedperfect
-
was beckoningprogressive
-
were beckoningprogressive
-
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.
Some of those listeners and viewers carry on what storytellers like Miyazaki began, doing their part to beckon us to see beyond life’s troubles for a while, to find a bit more balance.
From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026
But after the theatre and drama of Monday, the hard questions for the Labour Party and for Burnham beckon.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026
But the city’s vibrant offerings still beckon — and many of them can be experienced for less than an Erewhon Malibu Mango Smoothie.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
The mountains beckon to me not only because I find them beautiful.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
I saw Link beckon the hecklers into a huddle.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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.
