invitation

[in-vi-tey-shuhn]

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.

adjective

1. invitational.

invitation

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• preinvitation noun
• reinvitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invitation¹

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

Example Sentences

Still, she has no qualms about accepting the invitation of the Rock Hall, which in the last few years has significantly diversified its ranks and its leadership along race and gender lines.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Marine Le Pen and her young lieutenant in the far-right National Rally, Jordan Bardella, are ready for elections and have refused Lecornu's invitation to talk.

Read more on BBC

Purchasing the handbags is by invitation which makes it a lucrative investment as the resale value can be much higher than the original price.

Read more on BBC

A knee problem prevented Moody taking up an invitation to play in the inaugural 745 Game last autumn.

Read more on BBC

One is Atsuko Okatsuka, who posted her invitation on social media, citing the hypocrisy of “the ‘you can’t say anything anymore!’ comedians . . . doing the festival” and agreeing to its censorship regulations.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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