invitation

American  

[in-vi-tey-shuhn] / ˌɪn vɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of inviting. inviting.

2. the written or spoken form with which a person is invited.

3. something offered as a suggestion.

   an invitation to consider a business merger.

4. attraction or incentive; allurement.

5. a provocation.

   The speech was an invitation to rebellion.

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adjective

1. invitational.

invitation British  

/ ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act of inviting, such as an offer of entertainment or hospitality

   2. ( as modifier )

      an invitation dance

      an invitation race

2. the act of enticing or attracting; allurement

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Other Word Forms

• preinvitation noun
• reinvitation noun

Etymology

Origin of invitation

1590–1600; < Latin invītātiōn- (stem of invītātiō ), equivalent to invītāt ( us ) (past participle of invītāre to invite ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Guthrie smiles as one of her young daughters places the flowers near her nose, an invitation to smell the fragrant blossoms.

From Los Angeles Times

The top 10 players in fan voting received automatic invitations to the game, while the G League selected the next 18.

From Los Angeles Times

“I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island,” Tisch said.

From Los Angeles Times

But she’d ask me again, “Baby, how was your day?” and my heart would not be able to pass up two invitations to have its say.

From Literature

There’s an invitation to be familiar with people that lots of people don’t have.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal
• bid
• challenge
• date
• encouragement
• overture
• petition
• proposition
• request
• solicitation
• suggestion
• summons