evoke
/ɪˈvəʊk/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To bring a feeling, memory, image, or response into someone's mind. It often suggests something indirect, like a smell, picture, or story causing a feeling.
- The song evoked happy memories.
- Her words evoked sympathy.
- 2.
To make a strong idea, style, or atmosphere seem present. This is often used in writing, art, and speech.
- The painting evokes a peaceful mood.
- The novel evokes life in old Delhi.
Adinary Nuance
Use evoke when something brings a feeling or memory to mind. It is softer and more indirect than cause, and more literary than remind. Writers often choose evoke for art, smells, music, or descriptions that create a mood.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- gợi lên
- Spanish
- evocar
- Chinese
- 唤起
- Japanese
- 呼び起こす
- Korean
- 불러일으키다
Etymology
Evoke comes from Latin evocare, meaning 'to call out.' It entered English in the 15th century through French and kept the sense of calling feelings or images out of the mind.
Common phrases
evoke memoriesevoke emotionsevoke a responseevoke an image
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is evoke formal or informal?
- It is a fairly formal word. People use it often in writing, reports, and descriptions.
- What is the difference between evoke and remind?
- Remind points directly to something known before. Evoke suggests a feeling or image more indirectly.
- Can I use evoke with feelings?
- Yes. You can say something evokes joy, sadness, nostalgia, or sympathy.
- Is evoke common in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is useful in academic and descriptive writing, especially for art, literature, and mood.