provocative
[ pruh-vok-uh-tiv ]
adjective
tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.
noun
something provocative.
Origin of provocative
1First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus.See provocation, -ive
Other words from provocative
- pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
- pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun
- half-pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
- non·pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
- non·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
- non·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun
- qua·si-pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
- qua·si-pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
- un·pro·voc·a·tive, adjective
- un·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverb
- un·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for provocative
provocative
/ (prəˈvɒkətɪv) /
adjective
acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provoking: a provocative look; a provocative remark
Derived forms of provocative
- provocatively, adverb
- provocativeness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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