Elicit — Meaning, Definition & Examples

What does elicit mean?

Elicit is a verb that means to draw something out — usually a reaction, a response, an answer, or information. You elicit a smile, elicit feedback, elicit a confession. The thing you elicit is something that was there but needed prompting to come out.

The past tense is elicited, and the noun is elicitation.

Elicit vs illicit

This is the trap. Elicit (verb) means to draw out a response. Illicit (adjective) means illegal or forbidden — “illicit drugs,” “an illicit affair.” They are homophones, but elicit is something you do, while illicit describes something that breaks a rule. If you can replace the word with “draw out,” it’s elicit.

Elicit in a sentence

• The survey was designed to elicit honest opinions. • Her speech elicited a standing ovation. • Detectives tried to elicit a confession.

Synonyms

Synonyms: draw out, evoke, extract, prompt, obtain, bring out, provoke.

Word origin

Elicit comes from the Latin elicere, “to draw out” or “entice,” from e- (out) + lacere (to lure). The sense of coaxing something out has been there from the start.

Catch words you confuse

Homophone mix-ups like elicit/illicit slip past spellcheck because both are real words. Humanit’s free grammar checker reads meaning in context, so it can flag the wrong one and explain the difference — paste your draft and check it before you send it.