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

Colorado’s best rooftops beckon you to sip cocktails during golden hour and enjoy the gorgeous sightlines of the Rocky Mountains, cityscapes, and other panoramas. —Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 23 June 2025

Relaxing hammocks, loungers, hanging chairs, and firepits beckon, with massive Guanacaste, centennial, and cenizaro trees overhead offering shade. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Out went the kitchens and in went high-end accommodations for hounds that at first glance, might beckon their human companions to check in as well. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025

Found predominantly in California and down in Miami, these sizable, elegant houses have long been desired for their terra-cotta shingles, stucco, and plenty of exterior archways beckoning you inside. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025

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

Rhymes for beckon

• reckon

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