invite

[in-vahyt, in-vahyt]

verb (used with object)

invited, inviting 

1. to request the presence or participation of in a kindly, courteous, or complimentary way, especially to request to come or go to some place, gathering, entertainment, etc., or to do something.

   to invite friends to dinner.

   Synonyms: bid

2. to request politely or formally.

   to invite donations.

   Synonyms: solicit

3. to act so as to bring on or render probable.

   to invite accidents by fast driving.

4. to call forth or give occasion for.

   Those big shoes invite laughter.

5. to attract, allure, entice, or tempt.

   Synonyms: draw, lure

verb (used without object)

invited, inviting 

1. to give invitation; offer attractions or allurements.

noun

1. Informal.,  an invitation.

invite

verb

1. to ask (a person or persons) in a friendly or polite way (to do something, attend an event, etc)

   he invited them to dinner

2. to make a request for, esp publicly or formally

   to invite applications

3. to bring on or provoke; give occasion for

   you invite disaster by your actions

4. to welcome or tempt

noun

1. an informal word for invitation

Other Word Forms

• invitee noun
• inviter noun
• invitor noun
• preinvite verb (used with object)
• quasi-invited adjective
• reinvite verb
• self-invited adjective
• uninvited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of invite¹

First recorded in 1525–35, invite is from the Latin word invītāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of invite¹

C16: from Latin invītāre to invite, entertain, from _in- ² + -vītāre, probably related to Greek hiesthai to be desirous of

Synonym Study

See call.

Example Sentences

He invited Birkin to consult on the creation of such a bag, which the company named after her.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

This woman, it transpires, is fleeing an unhappy marriage; she invites herself onboard and persuades Jatgeir to run away with her.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He may not even come with me, but I’m booking the appointment and he’s invited.

Read more on MarketWatch

A girl invited me to play at her club.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Over the summer, he invited his teammates to the sand dunes in Manhattan Beach.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal to www.thesaurus.com
• attract 
• call 
• draw 
• encourage 
• insist 
• lead 
• persuade 
• press 
• propose 
• request 
• suggest 
• summon 
• tempt 
• urge 
• welcome 
• woo