How to pronounce beckon
Say it like BEK-un. Beckon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce beckon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEK
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Beckon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of beckon
American and British speakers say beckon in essentially the same way: /ˈbɛkən/ in the US and /ˈbɛkən/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEK-un.
What does beckon mean?
- To wave or nod to somebody with the intention to make the person come closer.
- To seem attractive and inviting.
- A sign made without words; a beck.
- A children's game similar to hide and seek in which children who have been "caught" may escape if they see another hider beckon to them.
Where does beckon come from?
From Middle English bekenen, beknen, becnen, beknien, from Old English bēacnian, bēcnian, bīecnan (“to signal; beckon”), from Proto-West Germanic *bauknōn, *bauknijan (“to signal”), from *baukn (“signal; beacon”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with beckon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of beckon.
Questions about saying beckon
How do you pronounce beckon?
Say BEK-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɛkən/. In British English it is /ˈbɛkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in beckon?
Beckon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEK). Broken into parts: BEK · un.
Do Americans and Brits say beckon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɛkən/ and the British form is /ˈbɛkən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.