evocative

1 of 2

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈvä-kə-tiv 

: evoking or tending to evoke an especially emotional response

… settings … so evocative that they bring tears to the eyes …

—Eric Malpass

evocatively adverb

evocativeness noun

evocativeness

2 of 2

noun

evoc·​a·​tive·​ness

plural -es

: evocative quality

the enormous evocativeness of the picture and its curious feeling of timelessness

—R. M. Coates

Synonyms of evocative

Adjective

• reminiscent

Examples of evocative in a Sentence

Adjective

He wrote a powerful and evocative biography.

the Italian-American restaurant is decorated in a manner evocative of the charming outdoor cafés in Italy

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The latter work is so much more evocative and vivid, with precise details and specific senses and feelings. — Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 11 June 2026

There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 22 June 2026

The slick one-touch football and positional changes from the Moroccans were evocative of where many of these players received their football education. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 June 2026

The action is well-staged and intense, the color palette moody and evocative, and the design not at all reminiscent of a hundred other cartoons, which makes the show refreshing as well as fun. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for evocative

• provocative
• talkative
• vocative

Kids Definition

evocative

adjective

evoc·​a·​tive i-ˈväk-ət-iv 

: having the power to evoke an especially emotional response

an evocative photograph