beckon

[bek-uh n]

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

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for beckoning

Contemporary Examples

I found it beckoning, almost like a mirage, in the form of the Vino Volo wine bar.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries
Clive Irving
December 7, 2014
Before she had time to think of a retort, Linda saw Tania beckoning her.
Inside Tania Head’s Terrible 9/11 Lie: ‘The Woman Who Wasn’t There’
Robin Gaby Fisher, Angelo J. Guglielmo, Jr.
April 6, 2012
He was the P.T. Barnum of the cyber-circus, perpetually barking and beckoning his customers into the freak show.
Andrew Breitbart Dies at 43: Why He’ll Be Missed
Lloyd Grove
March 1, 2012

Historical Examples

On looking back for my men, I saw one beckoning me to return.
Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia
Thomas Mitchell
Even yet there was no beckoning call for Lauzanne; but Mike knew.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
"All over, Steve; you can come along," said Max, beckoning toward the other.
With Trapper Jim in the North Woods
Lawrence J. Leslie
The Angel of the Wild Things was standing there, beckoning, in the little vale.
The Biography of a Grizzly
Ernest Seton-Thompson
The elder man approached me, beckoning the younger to follow.
The Prisoner of Zenda
Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for beckoning

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

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 beckoning

beckon

v.

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.

beckon

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for beckoning

Contemporary Examples

I found it beckoning, almost like a mirage, in the form of the Vino Volo wine bar.

Before she had time to think of a retort, Linda saw Tania beckoning her.

He was the P.T. Barnum of the cyber-circus, perpetually barking and beckoning his customers into the freak show.

Historical Examples

On looking back for my men, I saw one beckoning me to return.

Even yet there was no beckoning call for Lauzanne; but Mike knew.

"All over, Steve; you can come along," said Max, beckoning toward the other.

The Angel of the Wild Things was standing there, beckoning, in the little vale.

The elder man approached me, beckoning the younger to follow.

beckon

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for beckoning

beckon

v.

Origin of beckon