beckon

[ bek-uhn ]
See synonyms for beckon 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

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

How to use beckon in a sentence

  • But if you were the real object of the beckoner's affections, you were greeted with embraces and a cry of "I choose you!"

    The Right Stuff | Ian Hay
  • She paused an instant to collect herself, and then went softly toward the bony beckoner.

    Eight Cousins | Louisa M. Alcott
  • But the wary old Beckoner called him in, in due time, with his broken, empty-chested voice; and Nash was forced to obey.

    The Wits and Beaux of Society | Grace Wharton and Philip Wharton

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