Elicit
/ɪˈlɪsɪt/
verbB2
Definition
Elicit means to cause someone to give a reaction, answer, or feeling. It often happens when you ask a question or say something that makes a person respond. The word is used when you want to get information, feelings, or reactions from others.
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See It in Action
To cause someone to give information or a reaction
- •The teacher tried to elicit answers from the shy students.
- •The movie elicited strong emotions from the audience.
- •His question elicited a surprised look from her.
To bring out a response or feeling
- •The loud noise elicited fear in the small children.
- •Her smile elicited happiness in everyone around.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "elicit" like "get," but more active and careful—you try to get a reaction or answer by doing or saying something specific.
- ✓Picture a teacher asking a question to students, and the students raise their hands to answer—that action "elicits" their answers.
- ✓It's the feeling when you ask a friend a question and they smile or laugh because of what you said.
- ✓Sounds like "E-LEC-sit" → Imagine pressing a button ("lec") that makes a light or sound come out, just like you press words or actions to bring out a response.
- ✓Think of a detective asking questions to "elicit" clues or information from witnesses.
- ✓NOT like "receive" (just get something passively), "elicit" means you cause or bring out the response actively.
- ✓NOT like "tell" (you give information), "elicit" means you make someone else give information or reaction.
Try Other Words
- •Draw out: to cause someone to give information or feelings (Use when emphasizing gently encouraging someone to speak)
- •Bring forth: to make something appear or happen (Use in formal or literary contexts)
- •Extract: to carefully take information or reactions (Use when the process is more difficult or requires effort)
- •Prompt: to cause someone to say or do something (Use when a direct cause or reminder is involved)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "e-" (a variant of "ex-", meaning 'out') + "licit" (from Latin "licere," meaning 'to permit or allow')
- •Etymology: From Latin "elicere," meaning 'to draw out or bring forth'
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to mean drawing out or bringing information or reactions from someone
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal speech or writing to describe causing responses, especially in psychology, teaching, or interviews
Reflect & Connect
•How can you use questions or actions to elicit honest answers from others in daily life?
•Can eliciting a reaction be both positive and negative? How does the way you ask affect the response?
Fill in the blanks
1.The teacher asked many questions to elicit ___ from the quiet students.
2.Loud sounds often elicit ___ or surprise in people.
3.She smiled to elicit a ___ from her friend.
4.Unlike simply receiving information, to elicit a response means you ___ it by your action.
5.The detective tried to elicit ___ from the witness without making them nervous.
6.When a joke elicits laughter, it means the joke ___ a happy reaction.
7.To elicit useful information, you need to ask ___ questions that encourage people to talk.