invest

American  

[in-vest] / ɪnˈvɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to put (money) to use, by purchase or expenditure, in something offering potential profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.

2. to use (money), as in accumulating something.

   to invest large sums in books.

3. to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something.

   He invested a lot of time in cleaning up the neighborhood after the flood.

4. to furnish with power, authority, rank, etc..

   The Constitution invests the president with the power of veto.

5. to furnish or endow with a power, right, etc.; vest.

   Feudalism invested the lords with absolute authority over their vassals.

6. to endow with a quality or characteristic.

   to invest a friend with every virtue.

7. to infuse or belong to, as a quality or characteristic.

   Goodness invests his every action.

8. Metallurgy. to surround (a pattern) with an investment.

9. to provide with the insignia of office.

10. to install in an office or position.

11. to clothe, attire, or dress.

12. to cover, adorn, or envelop.

    Spring invests the trees with leaves.

13. to surround (a place) with military forces or works so as to prevent approach or escape; besiege.

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verb (used without object)

1. to invest money; make an investment.

   to invest in oil stock.

invest British  

/ ɪnˈvɛst /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit

2. to devote (effort, resources, etc, to a project)

3. archaic (tr; often foll by in or with) to clothe or adorn (in some garment, esp the robes of an office)

   to invest a king in the insignia of an emperor

4. to install formally or ceremoniously (in an official position, rank, etc)

5. (tr; foll by in or with) to place (power, authority, etc, in) or provide (with power or authority)

   to invest new rights in the monarchy

6. (tr; usually passive; foll by in or with) to provide or endow (a person with qualities, characteristics, etc)

   he was invested with great common sense

7. poetic to cover or adorn, as if with a coat or garment

   when spring invests the trees with leaves

8. rare (tr) to surround with military forces; besiege

9. informal to purchase; buy

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Other Word Forms

• investable adjective
• investor noun
• noninvestor noun
• overinvest verb
• preinvest verb (used with object)
• reinvest verb (used with object)
• underinvest verb (used without object)
• underinvested adjective
• uninvested adjective
• well-invested adjective

Etymology

Origin of invest

First recorded in 1525–35; from Old Italian investire, from Medieval Latin investīre “to install, invest (money), surround, clothe in,” Latin: “to clothe, deck, adorn,” equivalent to in- prefix + vestīre “to clothe, dress,” derivative of vestis “clothes, garment”; see in- ², vest

Explanation

When you invest, you put time or money into something, hoping that there will be returns greater than what was originally put in. You commonly hear talk of investing money, but you can invest time in a project as well. You can invest your hopes or emotions in a person. The money, time, or hope is called the investment. Invest can also mean to endow with a power or quality. Laws invest police officers with abilities that regular citizens do not have. Invest originally meant to clothe. In fact, there is a room in some churches still called a vestry where priests get into their garb.

Example Sentences

He called the acting president oil-savvy and said she is taking steps to build relationships with energy executives—but he doesn’t expect the U.S. oil industry to invest significant capital until Venezuela holds democratic elections.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

How should you invest now that Kevin Warsh is almost certain to be the next Federal Reserve chair?

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

You’re steadily adding to your nest egg without being dependent on market timing to find an up day to invest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

"Failing to invest in what needs to be done today is just borrowing from the next generation," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

I knew it took courage for them to invest money in my pursuits, considering there wasn’t an immediate, tangible return on their investment.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• devote
• lend
• provide
• spend
• supply