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

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

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
Fame used to be an exceptional circumstance in American life, now it is more like a permanent beckoning condition.
Leave Palin Alone|Lee Siegel|November 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST

If God put a "will" on Adam's back, and the will followed the beckoning finger of Eve, whose fault was that?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Not until it was repeated more loudly, and imperatively, did he turn to see Fortunio beckoning him.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
When the man had finished, Clip said something in a sharp tone and started down the slope, beckoning Matt to follow.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Isabel's theory of life—for women of her make—had not altered a whit, but the beckoning finger had lost its vigor.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Just before reaching the river we heard shouts behind us, and saw a man beckoning and running after us.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various

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