The Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is elicit. Read on for what it means, how it’s used, and more.

What It Means

Elicit means “to get (a response, information, etc.) from someone.”

// The final amount raised by the charity walk elicited cheers from the crowd.

// The teacher’s question elicited no response.

ELICIT in Context

“Black-and-white wall art can elicit several different moods in your home. … You can use black-and-white wall art to subdue a space or add a touch of elegance.” — Karl Daum, KDVR (Denver, Colorado), 22 Feb. 2022

Did You Know?

Elicit comes from the Latin verb elicere, from the prefix e-, meaning “away,” and lacere, “to entice by charm or attraction.”