elicit

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Elicit' means to bring out, or draw out, something that isn't immediately apparent. Usually, it’s about fetching a reaction, emotion, or information from someone by asking questions or doing something that triggers it.

Examples in Different Contexts

In marketing, questions in surveys are designed to elicit honest feedback from customers. A marketing director might state, 'We’ve refined our survey to better elicit consumer preferences.'

Practice Scenarios

Tech

Scenario:

Users are struggling with this new feature in our app. Perhaps we need to refine our interface based on their preferences.

Response:

Let’s conduct another round of user testing to elicit more precise feedback on this feature.

Creative

Scenario:

The ending of the story isn't having the desired impact on readers. We need to create a more emotional resonance.

Response:

Maybe we should revise the climax to elicit a more intense reaction from our readers.