evoke

play

verb \i-ˈvōk\

Definition of evoke

evoked

;

evoking

transitive verb
1 : to call forth or up: such asa : conjure 2a evoke evil spiritsb : to cite especially with approval or for support : invokec : to bring to mind or recollection this place evokes memories
2 : to re-create imaginatively

See evoke defined for English-language learners

See evoke defined for kids

Examples of evoke in a Sentence

The old house evoked memories of his childhood.
His photographs evoke the isolation and solitude of the desert.

Recent Examples of evoke from the Web

Mechanical Art Deco motifs gave a 1920s flair to black froufrou gowns that evoked the paintings of Robert Delaunay.

— Bloomberg.com, "Chanel Aims High With Starry 'Eiffel Tower' Paris Show", 4 July 2017
Each scent of a treasured place to me evokes an embrace, a friendly hand on the shoulder at least.

— michael engelhard, Alaska Dispatch News, "An ode to Alaska odors", 1 July 2017
With cinder-block walls brightened by pictures of horses that evoke this equestrian county, the nursing home offers crafts, bingo and other activities.

— jordan rau, Kaiser Health News, "In The End, Even The Middle Class Would Feel GOP Cuts To Nursing Home Care", 26 June 2017
Fascinating reading, Dolnick’s book should evoke in us a sense of humility rather than amusement at the ignorance of the scientists of old.

— abraham verghese, New York Times, "Where Do Babies Come From? And Why Did It Take Scientists So Long to Find Out?", 23 June 2017
That immediately evoked the secret White House recordings that led to Richard Nixon’s downfall during Watergate.

— Washington Post, "Trump’s tease of possible Comey tapes fits familiar pattern", 22 June 2017
The outing evoked memories of right-hander Willie Glen, the only RailCats player with his number retired.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Charle Rosario goes the distance once again as RailCats roll", 21 June 2017
Ivanka and Jared’s three children, Arabella, Joseph, and Theodore, all have names that seem to evoke the Kennedy family.

— sarah ellison, The Hive, "The Inside Story of the Kushner-Bannon Civil War", 19 June 2017
The killing evoked heartache from Willson’s family.

— robert salonga, The Mercury News, "Cupertino homicide: Naked suspect admits to hammer killing, authorities say", 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evoke'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of evoke

French évoquer, from Latin evocare, from e- + vocare to call — more at vocation

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First Known Use: circa 1622

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of evoke

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

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

EVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

evoke

play

verb

Definition of evoke for English Language Learners

: to bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind
: to cause (a particular reaction or response) to happen

EVOKE Defined for Kids

evoke

play

verb \i-ˈvōk\

Definition of evoke for Students

evoked

;

evoking

: to bring to mind The photos evoked memories of our trip.

Word Root of evoke

The Latin word vox, meaning “voice,” and the related word vocāre, meaning “to call”, give us the root voc or vok. Words from the Latin vox or vocāre have something to do with the voice or with calling. Anything vocal is produced by the voice. A vocation is the work that someone is called to do as a job. To evoke is to call forth. To invoke is to call on for aid or protection. To provoke is to call forth another's anger. The word voice also has vox as its root.