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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use beckon in a sentence

At night, when trouble might have otherwise beckoned to a young woman her age, Maria was in the truck, working.
How Brooklyn’s First Ice Cream Girl Fought City Hall–and Won|Michael Daly|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I got up to leave and Biden, with his usual graciousness, beckoned me to stay.
Exposed: The White House’s Professor-in-Chief|Jonathan Alter|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Global fame beckoned when he debuted as Brit master spy James Bond, for four movies, in 1995.
Pierce Brosnan’s Life After Bond: From Action Hero to Losing His Daughter to Cancer|Tim Teeman|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She beckoned to them, gesturing as if she were going to give them a treat.
Hitler’s Killer Women Revealed in New History|Wendy Lower|October 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

During the course of the party, Charles Monteith, one of the Faber board, beckoned me out into the hall.
Sylvia Plath’s Darkest Sea: What an Unveiled Draft Poem Reveals|Olivia Cole|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Don Diego beckoned two guards, who immediately drew near their prisoner.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
For some moments the girls talked a rapid duet, then Isabel turned suddenly and beckoned.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
When he had got through, and had left some medicine, he beckoned Matt to follow him out on the porch.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Chet beckoned her out to have a part in the fun; but much more serious matters filled Jess Morses mind.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
At the third entr'acte she turned and said two words: the count left the box, and Marguerite beckoned to me to come to her.
Camille (La Dame aux Camilias)|Alexandre Dumas, fils

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 related to beckon

How to use beckon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for beckon

Derived forms of beckon

Word Origin for beckon