definitions

beckon

[ bek-uhn ]
/ ˈbɛk ən /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

beckford, beckham, beckley, beckmann, becknell, beckon, beckwith-wiedemann syndrome, becky, beclasp, beclomethasone, becloud

Origin of beckon

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

Related forms

beck·on·er, nounbeck·on·ing·ly, adverbun·beck·oned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for beckon

British Dictionary definitions for beckon

beckon

/ (ˈbɛkən) /

verb

to summon with a gesture of the hand or head
to entice or lure

noun

a summoning gesture

Derived Forms

beckoner, 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