provocative

[pruh-vok-uh-tiv]

adjective

tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing.

noun

something provocative.

Origin of provocative

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word prōvocātīvus. See provocation, -ive

Related formspro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverbpro·voc·a·tive·ness, nounhalf-pro·voc·a·tive, adjectivenon·pro·voc·a·tive, adjectivenon·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverbnon·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, nounqua·si-pro·voc·a·tive, adjectivequa·si-pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverbun·pro·voc·a·tive, adjectiveun·pro·voc·a·tive·ly, adverbun·pro·voc·a·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for provocatively

Contemporary Examples of provocatively

She looked at him provocatively, as if relishing the chance to do something the rest of the royal family would never do.
Working in The Royal Archives and Dreaming Up a Novel
Tom Sykes
October 16, 2012
Gibson did the same in the previously released tape, in which he condemned Grigorieva for dressing too provocatively.
Mel Gibson: Classic Batterer?
Nicole LaPorte
July 12, 2010

Historical Examples of provocatively

The only change was in her eyes, which no longer smiled into his so provocatively.
The Envoy, Her
Horace Brown Fyfe
She smiled up at him provocatively and his sombre face lightened.
The Lamp of Fate
Margaret Pedler
“I can see that grand supper-party not coming off,” said Joan provocatively.
When William Came
Saki
She allowed herself to smile mysteriously, provocatively at him.
Leonora
Arnold Bennett
The words were wafted back to us provocatively upon the evening air.
American Adventures
Julian Street

British Dictionary definitions for provocatively

provocative

adjective

acting as a stimulus or incitement, esp to anger or sexual desire; provokinga provocative look; a provocative remark

Derived Formsprovocatively, adverbprovocativeness, 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

Word Origin and History for provocatively

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.).