evoke
ih-VOHK
Evoke (verb) means to bring a feeling, memory, or image to someone's mind. Example: “The old photograph evoked memories of her grandmother's kitchen.”
verb
1
To bring a feeling, memory, or image to someone's mind.
"The old photograph evoked memories of her grandmother's kitchen."
"The song evokes a sense of nostalgia."
2
To provoke or draw out a particular reaction or response.
"The announcement evoked strong criticism from environmental groups."
How to use evoke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring something to mind or trigger a reaction.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "invoke" (to call upon or put into effect, e.g. invoke a rule); "evoke" is about triggering feelings or images.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
evoke memories
evoke a response
evoke emotion
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- evokes
- Past tense
- evoked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old photograph _____ memories of her grandmother's kitchen.
Etymology
From French évoquer, from Latin ēvocāre, "to call out or summon," from ex- ("out") + vocāre ("to call"); related to "voice."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for evoke
See all rhymes for evoke →Frequently asked questions
What does “evoke” mean?
The word “evoke” means to bring a feeling, memory, or image to someone's mind. In plain terms, to bring something to mind or trigger a reaction.
How do you pronounce “evoke”?
“Evoke” is pronounced ih-VOHK (/ɪˈvoʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “evoke” in a sentence?
Here is “evoke” used in a sentence: “The old photograph evoked memories of her grandmother's kitchen.”
What part of speech is “evoke”?
“Evoke” is a verb.
Where does the word “evoke” come from?
The word “evoke” comes from Latin. From French évoquer, from Latin ēvocāre, "to call out or summon," from ex- ("out") + vocāre ("to call"); related to "voice.".
Is “evoke” a common word?
“Evoke” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “evoke” have?
“Evoke” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bring a feeling, memory, or image to someone's mind.
