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

Iranian local media have in recent days criticised Iran's rejection of Egypt's invitation to attend the summit which took place Monday in the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Read more on Barron's

She used to pass around and reuse an invitation within her group of friends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tehran confirmed on Sunday that it received an official invitation from Cairo to attend a Gaza summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, state media reported, without indicating whether a representative would attend.

Read more on Barron's

I recently co-hosted a birthday party with a friend and used Gemini for the invitation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A White House aide said the four officials named in the invitation haven’t confirmed their attendance at the December event.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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