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

Another opportunity arose immediately thereafter when Pete Carroll became the Raiders’ head coach and invited Kelly to run the offense.

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The crew is invited to a party at his home, but when they arrive, he’s nowhere to be found.

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In August, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hosted a citywide scavenger hunt, inviting voters to scour the boroughs in search of historic political sites.

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Obviously, she invites the young doc, played by Michael Vartan, over for dinner.

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“In her memory, we invite you to enjoy a generous, fruit-filled salad, a special tribute for a very special tortoise,” the zoo’s social media post said.

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Related Words

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