provocative
pronunciation
How to pronounce provocative in British English:
UK [prəˈvɒkətɪv]
How to pronounce provocative in American English:
US [prəˈvɑːkətɪv]
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- Adjective:
- serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy
- exciting sexual desire
Word Origin
- provocative (adj.)
- mid-15c., "eliciting," from Middle French provocatif (15c.) and directly from Late Latin provocativus "calling forth," from provocat-, past participle stem of Latin provocare (see provoke). Specifically of sexual desire from 1620s. Related: Provocatively; provocativeness. The earliest appearance of the word in English is as a noun meaning "an aphrodisiac" (early 15c.).
Example
- 1. I ask him about his punchy and provocative style .
- 2. The sco has provided a platform for provocative stances before .
- 3. It would be a provocative thesis - if it were true .
- 4. His provocative reasoning on a host of topics kick-started modern british philosophy .
- 5. It also has a reputation for provocative external action in response to internal pressures .