beckon
verb/ˈbekən/
/ˈbekən/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they beckon | /ˈbekən/ /ˈbekən/ |
| he / she / it beckons | /ˈbekənz/ /ˈbekənz/ |
| past simple beckoned | /ˈbekənd/ /ˈbekənd/ |
| past participle beckoned | /ˈbekənd/ /ˈbekənd/ |
| -ing form beckoning | /ˈbekənɪŋ/ /ˈbekənɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to give somebody a signal using your finger or hand, especially to tell them to move nearer or to follow you synonym signal
- beckon to somebody (to do something) He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill.
- beckon somebody (+ adv./prep.) He beckoned her over with a wave.
- The boss beckoned him into her office.
- beckon somebody to do something She beckoned him to come and join them.
Extra Examples- I saw someone beckoning from a doorway.
- The man with the headphones was beckoning urgently.
- Richard beckoned the man over.
- John beckoned her to come in.
Definitions on the go
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- [intransitive, transitive] to appear very attractive to somebody
- The clear blue sea beckoned.
- beckon to somebody The lights seemed to beckon to Sara in a strange way.
- beckon somebody The prospect of a month without work was beckoning her.
- [intransitive] to be something that is likely to happen or will possibly happen to somebody in the future
- For many kids leaving college the prospect of unemployment beckons.
Word OriginOld English bīecnan, bēcnan, of West Germanic origin; related to beacon.
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beckon