elicit

1 of 2

verb

elic·​it i-ˈli-sət 

elicited; eliciting; elicits

transitive verb

1

: to get (information, a response, etc.) from someone

used a questionnaire to elicit feedback

Her remarks elicited applause/laughter.

The video elicited strong emotional reactions.

While some of the jokes can be fun, others often elicit eye-rolls …

—Marcus Jones

2

: to bring out (something latent or potential)

working to elicit positive change

The vaccine elicits an immune response.

But which products elicit that fresh-from-the-spa glow?

—Kaleigh Fasanella

elicitation

i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

ˌē-

noun

the elicitation of information

elicitor

i-ˈli-sə-tər 

noun

… the theme of irrevocable loss that is known to be the most potent elicitor of sadness.

—Nina Shen Rastogi

elicitor

2 of 2

noun

elic·​i·​tor

-sətə(r), 

-səˌtȯ(ə)r, 

-ȯ(ə)

plural -s

: one that elicits

a skillful elicitor of confidential information

Did you know?

The Latin Roots of Elicit

Say them fast—or even slow—in isolation, and no one will know which one you mean: elicit and illicit both rhyme with the likes of explicit and complicit. But beyond being auditorily indistinguishable, they are used very differently. Illicit is an adjective applied to no-nos. It’s used to describe things people aren’t supposed to do. Something illicit is not permitted especially because it is illegal. Elicit, on the other hand, is a verb most often used to talk about calling forth or drawing out a response or reaction from someone, as in “her onstage antics elicited roars of laughter from the audience.” The Latin ancestors of this pair are easy to confuse too. Elicit comes from elicitus, illicit from illicitus. But going back just a little further, we find that elicit traces back beyond elicitus to lacere, meaning “to allure,” while illicitus comes ultimately from licēre, meaning “to be permitted.”

Synonyms of elicit

Verb

• evoke
• inspire

Choose the Right Synonym for elicit

educe, evoke, elicit, extract, extort mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved.

educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Examples of elicit in a Sentence

Verb

If ever there was a two-way pleasure street, it's the delight a baby takes in being tickled and the joy the parent experiences in the tumble of laughter it elicits. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 17 Jan. 2005

Gingrich elicits perhaps the greatest sympathy when he talks about the challenge of graduating from a rabble-rousing backbencher in the House minority to presiding over (and trying to control) the first Republican majority in 40 years. —Richard L. Berke, New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1998

In a wild, captive wolf that is not socialized to man, approach will elicit flight and, if the wolf is cornered, a defensive reaction may be triggered, which is termed the critical-distance reaction. —Michael W. Fox, The Soul of the Wolf, 1980

She's been trying to elicit the support of other committee members.

My question elicited no response.

She's been unable to elicit much sympathy from the public.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Over more than 1,000 conversations with a collection of donors, the AI model Claude was nearly three times as effective at eliciting donations for Save the Children as a group of professional fundraisers who had worked on campaigns for the humanitarian group. —Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 19 June 2026

Jalen Brunson’s appearance on his float—amid a flurry of blue and orange confetti, the gleaming gold Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in hand—elicited a chant of MVP! —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 June 2026

Kudrow said, eliciting laughs from the audience. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 17 June 2026

Each smell is said to elicit different atmospheres. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin elicitus, past participle of elicere, from e- + lacere to allure

First Known Use

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for elicit

• complicit
• explicit
• illicit
• implicit
• solicit
• licit

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Kids Definition

elicit

verb

elic·​it i-ˈlis-ət 

: to draw out often by skillful questioning or discussion

elicit the truth from a witness

elicitation

i-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

elicitor

i-ˈli-sə-tər 

noun