beckon

UK: /ˈbɛkən/ US: /ˈbɛkən/ ,(bek′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

beck•on /ˈbɛkən/   v. [~ (+ to) + object]

1. to signal, summon, or direct (someone) to come near, as by waving the hand or moving a finger:
   He beckoned (to) me and I went into his office.
2. to call to;
   attract;
   lure;
   entice:
   Fame and fortune beckoned (to) him.

beck•on•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

beck•on  (bek′ən), v.t., v.i. 

1. to signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand.
2. to lure;
   entice.

n. 

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

• Middle English beknen, Old English gebē(a)cnian, derivative of bēacen beacon bef. 950

beck′on•er, n. 
beck′on•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. motion, wave, gesture, bid, nod.
• 2. invite, attract, draw, coax, tempt, tantalize, allure, beguile.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

beckon / ˈbɛkən/ verb

1. to summon with a gesture of the hand or head
2. to entice or lure

noun

1. a summoning gesture

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

ˈbeckoner noun

ˈbeckoning adjective , noun