invitational

[ in-vi-tey-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. restricted to participants who have been invited:

   an invitational track meet.

noun

1. an event, as a sports competition or an art exhibit, restricted to those who have been invited to participate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of invitational¹

First recorded in 1920–25; invitation + -al ¹

Example Sentences

With its size, the community also hosts a variety of festivals and activities, such as an annual wine festival in September and a mid-June golf invitational.

From Washington Post

The sandwiches above are the grilled cheeses of six competitors in the 2011 Grilled Cheese Invitational.

From The Daily Beast

According to invitational veteran Alex Brown, of the Hot Knives Kitchen, winning is about keeping it simple.

From The Daily Beast

At the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, he posted his worst four-round score as a professional golfer at 18-over par.

From The Daily Beast

"Just tell them it's a super-private party, invitational only," I said.

From Project Gutenberg

Without the smallest premeditation, Charles bent and touched his lips to that smooth invitational cheek.

From Project Gutenberg