beckon

/ˈbekən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbekən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbe-kᵊn/ (ame, mw)

beckon — verb

  • beckonpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • beckonshe / she / it
  • beckonedpast simple
  • beckoning-ing form

1. to make a small movement with your hand, finger, or head as a silent way of aski

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to make a small movement with your hand, finger, or head as a silent way of asking someone to come closer or follow you.

例句

Allison stood at the gate and beckoned the children to come inside for dinner.

beckon + someone + to-infinitive for inviting movement

The waiter beckoned us over to a quiet table by the window.

beckon + someone + over for guiding to a place

同義詞
  • wave over

    more casual; the wave is the gesture itself

  • signal

    broader — covers any gesture, sound, or sign

  • summon

    stronger, often more formal; implies authority

  • motion

    neutral, slightly more formal in writing

反義詞
  • wave away

    gesture telling someone to leave or move back

  • dismiss

    more formal; ends an interaction rather than blocks movement

文法句型

beckon + someone

beckon (to) someone + to-infinitive

beckon someone over/in/forward

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person; the gesture is silent and informal. Frequently followed by an adverb of direction (over, in, forward, closer) or by a to-infinitive naming the action the addressee should take.

常見錯誤

❌She beckoned at me to come over.
✅She beckoned me over.' or 'She beckoned to me to come over.
💡use 'to' (not 'at') with the person, or no preposition at all.
❌He beckoned for sitting down.
✅He beckoned me to sit down.
💡beckon takes a to-infinitive, not for + -ing.

2. of a place, activity, or experience: to seem so attractive that it makes you wan

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

of a place, activity, or experience: to seem so attractive that it makes you want to go there or take part in it.

例句

After a long winter in Glasgow, the warm beaches of Sicily beckoned.

subject is a place that draws the reader in

A cold glass of lemonade beckoned from the kitchen counter on that humid afternoon.

同義詞
  • tempt

    stronger pull; often suggests something one should resist

  • lure

    stronger and often with a negative connotation of being drawn into a trap

  • appeal to

    more neutral; describes general attractiveness rather than active pull

  • call to

    literary; suggests a strong personal pull or vocation

反義詞
  • repel

    actively pushes the viewer away

文法句型

[place / activity] + beckons

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense has no human waving — the subject is usually a place, activity, or experience that pulls a person toward it. Common in travel writing and narrative prose; rare in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌The new menu beckons me to try it.
✅The new menu beckons.
💡in this sense the verb is intransitive; don't add a direct object.

3. of a future outcome such as a victory, promotion, or life stage: to seem close t

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

of a future outcome such as a victory, promotion, or life stage: to seem close to happening, in a way the person concerned is hoping for or expecting.

例句

With three matches left in the season, the championship beckons for Liverpool.

beckon + for + someone for an awaited outcome

After ten years of study, a medical degree finally beckoned for Niran.

同義詞
  • loom

    similar shape but usually negative — something unwelcome approaching

  • approach

    neutral; just describes nearness in time

  • await

    describes the outcome from the person's side; beckon describes it from the event's side

反義詞
  • recede

    the outcome becomes less likely

文法句型

[event / achievement] + beckons

[event] + beckons + for + someone

用法筆記

Common in sports journalism, biographies, and news features. Distinct from sense 2 in that the subject is an outcome or milestone, not a place or activity. Often used in the simple or progressive present to suggest something is approaching.

常見錯誤

❌A new job beckons him.
✅A new job beckons (for him).
💡use no object, or 'for + someone'; do not put the person as a direct object.