beckon

[ bek-uhn ]

/ ˈbɛk ən /

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See synonyms for: beckon / beckoned / beckoning 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR beckon

1 motion, wave, gesture, bid, nod.

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

See synonyms for beckon on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

crisp

crepitate

fuscous

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Origin of beckon

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

OTHER WORDS FROM beckon

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

Words nearby beckon

Beckford, Beckham, Beckley, Beckmann, Becknell, beckon, Beck's triad, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Becky, Béclard's hernia, beclasp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use beckon in a sentence

At the bar, a trio of sharply dressed Chinese twentysomethings beckon for one more round of rosé.
Say Cheese—China's New Obsession|Will Doig|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
When anarchy seems to beckon, Libya pulls back from the brink.
One Year Later, Libya’s Long Road Continues|Jamie Dettmer|October 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Corked glass bottles of spices, infused oils and vinegars beckon from antique cupboards like jewels.
A Superstar Chef Does the Unthinkable|Amelia Smith|November 17, 2008|DAILY BEAST

But the longest red-letter day has its ending, and time and tide beckon one with the brutality of an impatient jailer.
The Real Latin Quarter|F. Berkeley Smith
You have only to mount your horse, beckon to your negro, and follow the path you will find at the back of the house.
A Little Union Scout|Joel Chandler Harris
Like a football player picking a hole in the line, I had seen the bedroom door open and a friendly hand beckon.
My Wonderful Visit|Charlie Chaplin
They saw the professor dance wildly around and beckon to them.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish
He parted the hanging blankets and went in, emerging after a little while to beckon me.
The Reckoning|Robert W. Chambers

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 of beckon

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

beckon

OTHER WORDS FOR beckon

Origin of beckon

OTHER WORDS FROM beckon

Words nearby beckon

Words related to beckon

How to use beckon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for beckon

Derived forms of beckon

Word Origin for beckon