Evokes
/ɪˈvəʊks/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo bring a feeling, memory, or image into your mind.
/ɪˈvəʊks/
To bring or recall a feeling, memory, or image to the conscious mind.
The photograph evokes memories of my childhood.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're smelling cookies baking. They instantly *evoke* memories of grandma's kitchen, making you feel warm and fuzzy. It's like a mental shortcut to those feelings!
👶 For kids: To make you think about something or feel something.
More Examples
The scent of lavender evokes a feeling of relaxation.
His speech evoked strong emotions in the audience.
How It's Used
"The novel evokes a sense of nostalgia."
"Certain smells can evoke powerful childhood memories."
"The artist's paintings evoke a feeling of serenity."
To cause someone to have a particular feeling or memory.
/ɪˈvəʊks/
To elicit or produce (a reaction or response).
The comedian's jokes always evoke laughter.
💡 Simply: Think of a movie scene that *evokes* laughter from the audience. It's designed to *elicit* a specific response – like a laugh.
👶 For kids: To make something happen, like when you say something to make someone happy.
More Examples
The controversial article evoked a heated debate.
Her statement evoked a sense of disbelief.
How It's Used
"The protest was designed to evoke a response from the government."
"The politician's words evoked strong reactions from the crowd."
Idioms & expressions
evoke memories
To bring back or cause memories to surface.
"The old photograph evoked memories of a happy childhood."
evoke emotion
To arouse or cause an emotion.
"The movie's score effectively evoked emotion in the audience."
From Latin *ēvocāre* 'to call out, summon', from *ex-* 'out' + *vocāre* 'to call'.
The word 'evoke' has been used since the 16th century, initially related to summoning spirits or entities and later to recalling memories or eliciting reactions.
Memory tip
Think of 'voke' as 'voice'. What does something 'voice' or bring up within you?