Word
evocative
Phoneticsevoca·tive
US/ɪˈvɑkətɪv/
UK/ɪvˈɒkətˌɪv/
Definition
adj. making you think of or feel a strong memory, image, or emotion. It describes something that brings a clear picture to your mind.
adj. bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind. Often used to describe sensory experiences like smells, sounds, or artistic works that trigger a powerful emotional response.
Examples
“The old song was very evocative of my childhood.”
“The author's evocative descriptions of the seaside made me feel like I was actually standing on the beach.”
“The museum's latest exhibition uses evocative lighting and ambient soundscapes to transport visitors back to the bustling streets of Victorian London.”
Examples
simple
“The old song was very evocative of my childhood.”
contextual
“The author's evocative descriptions of the seaside made me feel like I was actually standing on the beach.”
complex
“The museum's latest exhibition uses evocative lighting and ambient soundscapes to transport visitors back to the bustling streets of Victorian London.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the specific memory or feeling being triggered.
Real-World Examples
“In her Guardian review , Lisa Tuttle described the winning novel as “evocative and beautifully written”, praising it as a “character-driven … argument for rewilding in Britain”.” “A wonderfully unnerving, evocative horror in which Hastings looms large as the most uncanny place in England.” Etymology
From Latin ēvocātīvus (“pertaining to summoning”). By surface analysis, evoke + -ative.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/evocative