provocar
|pro-vo-car|
/pɾoβoˈkaɾ/
call forth / cause a reaction
Etymology
'provocar' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'provocare', where 'pro-' meant 'forward' and 'vocare' meant 'to call'.
'provocar' changed from Latin 'provocare' through Vulgar Latin and Old French forms (e.g. 'provoquer') and eventually became the modern Spanish 'provocar'.
Initially, it meant 'to call forth' or 'to challenge'; over time it broadened to meanings such as 'to provoke', 'to cause', 'to incite', and 'to elicit'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to cause or bring about (an event, effect, or situation).
La lluvia intensa puede provocar inundaciones.
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Verb 2
to provoke or incite (a reaction such as anger or hostility).
No debes provocar a los animales cuando están asustados.
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Verb 3
to elicit or draw out (an emotion or response).
Esa escena suele provocar compasión en el público.
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Verb 4
to tempt, entice, or act in a sexually suggestive way (to attract attention).
Se viste para provocar la atención en las fiestas.
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Last updated: 2025/11/11 09:19