Elicit — B1 Vocabulary
To draw out a reaction, answer or emotion from someone. A verb — it does things.
Quick Answer
Elicit means to draw out a response — an answer, a laugh, a memory. It is a verb: teachers elicit answers; jokes elicit laughter. Think: Elicit Extracts.
Example: Her joke elicited a big laugh from the audience.
Elicit in 3 Sentences
Read these three sentences. Notice how elicit is used:
- Her joke elicited a big laugh from the audience. (drew out laughter)
- The teacher asked questions to elicit answers from the class. (draw out responses)
- The photos elicited childhood memories. (brought them out)
A Quick Tip About ELICIT
Elicit sounds exactly like illicit, but they are unrelated. Elicit is a verb meaning to draw out. Illicit is an adjective meaning forbidden.
Using the adjective “illicit” when you mean “draw out”
✗ The survey tried to illicit honest feedback.
✓ The survey tried to elicit honest feedback.
Easy way to remember: Elicit Extracts — both start with E.
Practice all Illicit vs Elicit
Now practise elicit together with the other words in this topic. Use Study, Practice, Flashcards, and Review.
Illicit vs Elicit
Master illicit and elicit — they sound identical, but one describes something forbidden and the other means to draw out a response.
Study Cards
Read the word, look at the picture, and say the example sentence.
Quick Practice
Choose the word that completes the sentence.
1 of 2
Loading question
Flashcards
Look at the picture first, then tap the card to check the word.
Spaced Review
Review cards today, then let the queue bring them back later.
Test Yourself: Elicit
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. Good teachers know how to ______ answers from quiet students.
2. What does elicit mean?
3. What type of word is elicit?
4. The sad film ______ tears from the whole cinema.
5. Which memory trick works for elicit?
Other Illicit vs Elicit to Learn
Pick another word from this lesson — small steps add up fast.
Keep Going — One Word, Many Wins
You just learned elicit — the drawing-out verb. You can now use a word that many native speakers misspell.
Its identical-sounding twin is completely different: an adjective that describes smuggled goods and forbidden deals. Two letters change everything — have you met it yet?
Next lesson: Illicit — B1 Vocabulary
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