Close in meaning

Evoke vs. Invoke

Evoke means to bring a memory, feeling or image to mind. Invoke means to call on something for support, such as a rule, a law or an authority. A smell evokes childhood; a manager invokes a policy.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
evoke	verb	to bring a feeling, memory or image into someone's mind
invoke	verb	to call on a law, rule, right or authority to support or justify an action
invoke	verb	in computing, to call or run a function or program

Evoke

verb: to bring a feeling, memory or image into someone's mind

The smell of cinnamon evokes winter mornings at my grandmother's house.
The film evokes the mood of a small town in the 1960s.

Invoke

verb: to call on a law, rule, right or authority to support or justify an action

The landlord invoked a clause in the lease to end the contract early.
The league invoked the mercy rule after the tenth goal.

verb: in computing, to call or run a function or program

The script invokes the backup function every hour.
Clicking the button invokes a small helper program.

How to remember the difference

Evoke starts with e, like emotion: it brings feelings out. Invoke starts with in, like call in: you call in a rule or authority to back you up.

Good to know

Evoke often has a softer, artistic feel and goes with music, art, scents and memories. Invoke is more formal and is common in legal, official and technical writing.

Spot the mistake

The old song ~~invoked~~ evoked memories of our first apartment.
Correct: The old song evoked memories of our first apartment.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. The bright colors in the painting a hot summer day.

2. The company may its right to cancel the order.