Word
beckoning
Phoneticsbeck·on·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɛkənɪŋ/
UK/bˈɛkənɪŋ/
Definition
v. to wave your hand or nod to ask someone to come closer or follow you.
v. to gesture for someone to approach or follow, typically with a movement of the hand, head, or finger.
Examples
“She is beckoning you to come closer.”
“The teacher is beckoning the late students into the classroom before closing the door.”
“From across the crowded station, he could see his old friend beckoning urgently through the shifting crowd.”
Examples
simple
“She is beckoning you to come closer.”
contextual
“The teacher is beckoning the late students into the classroom before closing the door.”
complex
“From across the crowded station, he could see his old friend beckoning urgently through the shifting crowd.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “beckoning” in context.
Verb
01. beckoning continues
“Her beckoning continued until I finally came closer.”
noun + verb
02. beckoning stops
“His beckoning stopped when he saw the waiter coming.”
noun + verb
03. beckoning works
“Her beckoning worked and the taxi pulled over quickly.”
noun + verb
04. follow beckoning
“We followed his beckoning and entered the dark hallway.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. frantic beckoning
“His frantic beckoning told us something was wrong inside.”
adj + noun
06. gentle beckoning
“With a gentle beckoning, the teacher called the child forward.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. beckoning finger
“He pointed with a beckoning finger for us to come closer.”
noun + noun
08. beckoning gesture
“She made a beckoning gesture toward the empty seat.”
noun + noun
09. beckoning hand
“He raised a beckoning hand to call the children inside.”
noun + noun
10. beckoning someone closer
“She was beckoning the tourist closer to show him the map.”
11. beckoning with one finger
“He stood at the door, beckoning with one finger.”
12. follow someone's beckoning
“We followed the guide's beckoning toward the main entrance.”
Usage
Can take a direct object or be followed by 'to', 'over', or 'in' to show direction.
Real-World Examples
“The chillies didn’t wait long before beckoning me for another bite.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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