BECKON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does beckon mean? 

• BECKON (verb)
  The verb BECKON has 3 senses:

1. signal with the hands or nod

2. appear inviting

3. summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture

  Familiarity information: BECKON used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BECKON (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they beckon    ... he / she / it beckons   
Past simple: beckoned   
Past participle: beckoned   
-ing form: beckoning   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Signal with the hands or nod

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

beckon; wave

Context example:

He waved his hand hospitably

Hypernyms (to "beckon" is one way to...):

gesticulate; gesture; motion (show, express or direct through movement)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Appear inviting

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Context example:

The shop window decorations beckoned

Hypernyms (to "beckon" is one way to...):

appeal; attract (be attractive to)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "beckon" is one way to...):

summon (ask to come)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

Van Helsing beckoned to us and we stole out of the room, leaving the two loving hearts alone with their God.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

And I would go on deck, beckon Louis to me, and learn from him what was to be done.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was bending eagerly towards me, and beckoning.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Charles, my dear, (beckoning him to her), do ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Returning, the boy beckoned him from halfway across the room and led him to the private office, the editorial sanctum.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“And you, Norbury,” he continued, beckoning to the squire of Sir Oliver, “do you also come here.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The woman was beckoning him from the chaise, and he staring up at her with the queerest expression upon his face.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

You beckoned him to come down.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Foreign people and places beckon, and if you didn’t travel in February, it seems very likely you will be on the road in March.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)