beckon

[ bek-uhn ]

/ ˈbɛk ən /

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of beckon

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

SYNONYMS FOR beckon

1. motion, wave, gesture, bid, nod. 2. invite, attract, draw, coax, tempt, tantalize, allure, beguile.

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Related formsbeck·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 beckoning

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Gallus told him and he vanished through the curtains, whence he returned presently, beckoning them to advance.
Pearl-Maiden|H. Rider Haggard

Shiminya rose, and, beckoning the other to follow, opened and crept through the door of the hut behind him.
John Ames, Native Commissioner|Bertram Mitford
The air grew chilly and Miss Carthew appeared from the door, beckoning to Michael.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
"You are getting onto thin ice," screamed Grace in despair, beckoning wildly.
Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School|Jessie Graham Flower
They had much to confer about, with the uncertain future beckoning them on; and the main history of the cruise yet to be written.
Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise|Louis Arundel

British Dictionary definitions for beckoning

beckon

/ (ˈbɛkən) /

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 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

Word Origin and History for beckoning

beckon

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.