beckon

[ bek-uhn ]
See synonyms for: beckonbeckonedbeckoning on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)
  1. to signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand.

  2. to lure; entice.

noun
  1. a nod, gesture, etc., that signals, directs, summons, indicates agreement, or the like.

Origin of beckon

1
before 950; Middle English beknen,Old English gebē(a)cnian, derivative of bēacenbeacon

Other words for beckon

Other words from beckon

  • beck·on·er, noun
  • beck·on·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·beck·oned, adjective

Words Nearby beckon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use beckon in a sentence

  • 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
  1. to summon with a gesture of the hand or head

  2. to entice or lure

noun
  1. a summoning gesture

Origin of beckon

1
Old English bīecnan, from bēacen sign; related to Old Saxon bōknian; see beacon

Derived forms of beckon

  • beckoner, noun
  • beckoning, adjective, noun

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