Added 9 October 2026
provocative
/pɹəˈvɒk.ə.tɪv/ adjective
Latin root: provocativus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about provocative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy.
a provocative remark
-
Intentionally arousing sexual desire.
her gestures and postures became more wanton and provocative
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French provocatif, and its source, Late Latin provocativus, from Latin provocare.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)