beckon

verb

beck·​on ˈbe-kᵊn 

beckoned; beckoning

intransitive verb

1

: to summon or signal typically with a wave or nod

My master beckons.

He … beckoned to the other generals to come and stand where he stood.

—H. E. Scudder

2

: to appear inviting : attract

the frontier beckons

transitive verb

: to beckon to

beckoned us over to their table

beckon noun

Synonyms

• flag
• gesture
• motion
• signal
• wave

Examples of beckon in a Sentence

She was beckoning them in to shore.

She beckoned the waiter to come over.

She beckoned to the waiter to come over.

From the time he was a child, the wilderness beckoned to him.

The nature preserve beckons bird-watchers, who visit from around the world.

Recent Examples on the Web

This gem sits under most travelers’ radars – overshadowed by nearby La Paz and Cabo – yet beckons those seeking an intimate encounter with nature without crowds or overdevelopment. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

The brand anticipates roughly 20,000 people to pass through the installation per day, though the social media push is designed to beckon potential shoppers beyond New York. —James Manso, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024

The Dodgers might not need a ton of length from Yamamoto on Friday night, with a deep and versatile bullpen (which also should have Flaherty’s services if needed) beckoning behind him. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024

Most days will have pleasant temperatures, and the ocean will still be warm enough for swimming. 10 of 10 Greece Summer may be over, but the Greek Islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas continue to beckon to travelers well into the fall. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bekenen, bikenen, becknien, becknyn, going back to Old English bēcnan, bīcnan, bīcnian, bēacnian "to make a mute gesture to, summon, symbolize, portend, reveal," going back to West Germanic *bauhnjan- or *bauhnōjan- (whence also Old Saxon bōknian "to portend, give as a token," Old High German bouhhanen, bouhnen "to give a sign or token, signify"), weak verb derivatives of *baukn- "sign, signal" — more at beacon entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

beckon

verb

beck·​on ˈbek-ən 

beckoned; beckoning

ˈbek- (ə-)niŋ

1

: to call or signal to a person usually by a wave or nod

they beckoned us to come over

2

: to appear inviting

new adventures were beckoning