You could use the related adjective evocative to describe something that’s particularly effective at evoking.Ī synonym of evoke is conjure. Evoke can also mean “to produce or suggest through artistry and imagination a vivid impression of reality.” In other words, a work of art can evoke not just emotions but realistic mental images of the thing it depicts or suggests, as in The best food writing evokes flavors so well that it’s almost as if you’re tasting the food. Sometimes, the internal reaction is more than a feeling. Art is often judged by how well it evokes something from the observer-whether it draws out feelings, emotions, or some other kind of reaction. (If producing such a reaction, especially a negative one, is intentional, you might use the word provoke). A powerful speech might evoke a strong reaction from the audience-good or bad. What does evoke mean?Įvoke means “to draw something out or produce something, especially intangible things like feelings, emotions, memories, and reactions.” As the definition suggests, the reaction may be produced (created) or drawn out (meaning that it already existed internally).įor example, a painting might evoke a feeling of loneliness. The prefix re- in revoke means “back,” so to revoke something is to call it back. The prefix pro- in provoke means “forward,” so to provoke someone is to call them forth, as if to challenge them. You probably recognize the root -voke in other common words, like provoke and revoke. This is how invoke is used in the context of prayer. It comes from the Latin verb invocāre, in which vocāre means “to call.” In invoke, the prefix in- means, yep, “in,” so to invoke is “to call someone or something in.” What do you do when you need help? You call in reinforcements. The first records of invoke in English come from the 1480s. Who does more invoking, a psychic or a medium? Learn the difference between the two so you know who to call for a chat with your great-great-grandfather. Invoke can also mean “to call forth or upon (a spirit) by incantation.” Picture Aladdin invoking the genie by rubbing the lamp or a medium pretending to invoke a spirit during a séance. It can also mean “to put (a rule, law, etc.) into use,” as in To gain an advantage, he invoked a rarely used bylaw. It can mean “to declare to be binding or in effect,” as in He threatened to invoke the veto and reject the bill. Invoke has other senses that are used in the context of laws and rules. You could invoke the help of your teacher or your favorite online dictionary, for example. But invoke is not only used in supernatural contexts. The act of doing so is called invocation, which is also another word for a prayer. This sense of the word typically suggests that help or protection is being requested. The ancient Greeks invoked Zeus during battle. Invoke can mean “to pray to” or, perhaps more commonly, “to pray for.” You can invoke a deity or supreme being or invoke the help of one. A work of art may evoke certain feelings or reactions, for example. It also means to put a rule or law into use or declare it to be in effect. Invoke most commonly means to call on or appeal to-people invoke the help of their god through prayer. In the spirit of our vocation, we’ll even cover revoke and provoke along the way. We’re glad you have invoked our help in deciphering the difference between invoke and evoke. It’s also used in situations involving laws and rules (specifically, using them or enacting them). Invoke is often used in the context of prayer and other religious, spiritual, or supernatural matters that involve calling upon a higher power for help. Evoke is typically used when talking about how something produces or draws out feelings, memories, or reactions. Evoke and invoke are both fairly formal words that look and sound a lot alike-and, for what it’s worth, you can summon a spirit with either one (we’ll get to that, don’t worry).īut the contexts in which they’re used are often quite different.
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