What does invoke mean?
Invoke is a formal verb with several related meanings. Most commonly, it means to call on an authority, rule, power, or person, as in invoking a legal clause or summoning help. It can also mean to put a process, plan, or resource into use, or to appeal to someone’s authority or support. In a more reflective context, invoke means to bring a memory, feeling, or image into the mind. The word is especially common in legal, political, religious, and technical writing, where it suggests formal authorization or deliberate use. Although its overall tone is serious and sometimes ceremonial, modern usage is broad and often straightforward. Its resemblance to evoke and provoke reflects a shared Latin origin involving calling or drawing forth, but the verbs are not interchangeable in every context: invoke emphasizes a formal call or activation, evoke emphasizes recollection, and provoke emphasizes an induced reaction.
verbTo call on someone or something formally or authoritatively, especially to summon a person, cite a rule, or request assistance. It can also mean to bring a thought, feeling, or memory into consciousness, or to put a plan, process, or power into use.
- To summon or call on a person, authority, rule, or power.
- To put a plan, process, resource, or power into use.
- To appeal to someone or something as a reason or means of support.
- To bring a memory, feeling, or idea into consciousness.
"The committee invoked the safety rules when the machine began to overheat."
"The president invoked emergency powers after the storm struck."
"The old photograph invoked memories of summers at the lake."
The word invoke comes from the same ancient root as evoke and provoke: both ultimately involve calling or drawing something forth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does invoke come from?
The English word invoke comes from Latin invocare, formed from in-, meaning “into” or “upon,” and vocare, meaning “to call.” In Latin it developed meanings such as calling upon, appealing to, or summoning. English borrowed it in the 16th century, initially in legal and religious contexts. It shares a deeper root with evoke, provoke, and vocation, all of which are related to calling.
Related word forms
How invoke is actually used
Invoke is relatively formal and is especially common in legal, political, religious, and technical contexts. In its sense of bringing something to mind, it is often used with memories, feelings, images, or recollections.
Easily confused with invoke
Invoke often means to call on someone or put something into use, whereas evoke typically means to bring a memory, feeling, or idea into consciousness.
Invoke can mean to summon or activate a rule or power, while provoke more commonly means to arouse a reaction or cause someone to act.