invoke

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ɪnˈvoʊk/ UK /ɪnˈvəʊk/ See IPA manual

Freq #19013

Meanings

1

verb
To mention or refer to something, such as a law or rule, to support your argument.

The lawyer invoked an old law to defend her client.
2

verb
To bring a feeling, image, or memory to someone's mind.

The old song invoked memories of her childhood.
3

verb
To call on a god or spirit for help or protection.

The priest invoked the gods to bless the harvest.
4

verb
To cause a computer program or function to run.

You can invoke the program by typing its name in the terminal.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to mention or refer to... cite appeal

2 verb · to bring a feeling, image,... evokecall to mind

3 verb · to call on a god or spirit... summon

4 verb · to cause a computer program... call run execute

Word family

Forms invokedinvokesinvoking

Derived forms invokableinvokerinvokinglymisinvokereinvokeuninvokableuninvoked

Related forms evokeinvocateinvocationinvocationalinvocatory

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

invoke god
To call on God for help, guidance, or protection.

Verb + noun

Simplified etymology

Invoke entered English in late Middle English and ultimately comes from Latin vocare, “to call.” Its literal sense is “call upon.”

Etymology

From Middle English *invoken, envoken, borrowed from Old French envoquer, from Latin invocāre (“to call upon”), itself from in- + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of invocate.

*wekʷ- Proto-Indo-European *invoken Middle English envoquer Old French invocō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# invoke

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ɪnˈvoʊk/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪnˈvəʊk/
**Frequency rank:** 19013

## Meanings
1. To mention or refer to something, such as a law or rule, to support your argument.
2. To bring a feeling, image, or memory to someone's mind.
3. To call on a god or spirit for help or protection.
4. To cause a computer program or function to run.

## Examples
- The lawyer invoked an old law to defend her client.
- The old song invoked memories of her childhood.
- The priest invoked the gods to bless the harvest.
- You can invoke the program by typing its name in the terminal.

## Derived Forms
- invokable
- invoker
- invokingly
- misinvoke
- reinvoke
- uninvokable
- uninvoked

## Related Forms
- evoke
- invocate
- invocation
- invocational
- invocatory

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *wekʷ-
- Root: *invoken
- Root: envoquer
- Root: invocō

## Etymology
From Middle English *invoken, envoken, borrowed from Old French envoquer, from Latin invocāre (“to call upon”), itself from in- + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of invocate.

## AI Etymology
Invoke comes from Middle English *invoken, envoken, borrowed from Old French envoquer, from Latin invocāre (“to call upon”), itself from in- + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of invocate. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern verbal form is built from the named base and affix. The historical line also includes *wekʷ- and invocō.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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