What does invocable mean?
Invocable means capable of being called upon or summoned. Its best-known use is in religious and ceremonial language, where a deity, spirit, sacred power, or supernatural presence may be described as invocable because a person can call upon or appeal to it. The word can also apply more generally to a person, service, or resource that remains available to be contacted or asked for help, though such usage is comparatively uncommon. “Callable” is a more familiar modern alternative in everyday speech, while “invocable” often carries a formal or elevated tone and may suggest something remote, powerful, or invoked through a solemn formula. The word is especially useful when describing the relationship between an invocant and the entity addressed: what is called upon is invocable, while the act of calling upon it is an invocation.
adjectiveCapable of being called upon, invoked, or summoned. The term is used especially of a deity, spirit, power, person, or other entity that can be appealed to.
- Capable of being called upon, invoked, or summoned, especially a deity, spirit, power, or person.
"The invocable spirit answered the priest's solemn call."
"The invocable spirit answered the priest's solemn call."
"Although the office was closed, the duty officer remained invocable by telephone."
What can be summoned is invocable: the word captures the power to call upon what is present but remote.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does invocable come from?
Invocable was formed in English from invoke with the suffix -able, meaning “capable of being” the action expressed by the verb. Invoke comes through Old French from Latin invocare, a compound of in- and vocare, both “to call.” The same Latin root produced related English words including invocation, evocative, provoke, and revoke.
Related word forms
How invocable is actually used
This is a relatively rare, formal word. It occurs most often in religious, ceremonial, or metaphorical contexts involving a deity, spirit, power, or person that can be summoned or appealed to.
Easily confused with invocable
An invocable entity can be called upon, whereas a revocable decision, permission, or privilege can be withdrawn or cancelled.