verb
beckon
BEH-kuhn
Beckon (verb) means to signal someone, usually with the hand or a nod, to come closer. Example: “The waiter beckoned us over to an empty table.”
verb
1
To signal someone, usually with the hand or a nod, to come closer.
"The waiter beckoned us over to an empty table."
"She beckoned to her friend across the crowded room."
2
To seem inviting or attractive; to draw someone in.
"After months of work, a well-earned holiday was beckoning."
How to use beckon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wave or nod at someone to get them to come over, or (more figuratively) to seem tempting.
Common pairings
beckon someone over
beckon to someone
adventure beckons
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like beckon.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- beckons
- Third person singular
- beckons
- Past tense
- beckoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The waiter _____ us over to an empty table.
Etymology
From Old English bēacnian, "to signal," related to "beacon" — both come from a Germanic root meaning "sign" or "signal."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for beckon
See all rhymes for beckon →Frequently asked questions
What does “beckon” mean?
The word “beckon” means to signal someone, usually with the hand or a nod, to come closer. In plain terms, to wave or nod at someone to get them to come over, or (more figuratively) to seem tempting.
How do you pronounce “beckon”?
“Beckon” is pronounced BEH-kuhn (/ˈbɛkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “beckon” in a sentence?
Here is “beckon” used in a sentence: “The waiter beckoned us over to an empty table.”
What part of speech is “beckon”?
“Beckon” is a verb.
Where does the word “beckon” come from?
The word “beckon” comes from Old English. From Old English bēacnian, "to signal," related to "beacon" — both come from a Germanic root meaning "sign" or "signal.".
How many meanings does “beckon” have?
“Beckon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to signal someone, usually with the hand or a nod, to come closer.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include beckon:
