invite

American  

[in-vahyt, in-vahyt] / ɪnˈvaɪt, ˈɪn vaɪt /

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

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verb (used without object)

invited, inviting

1. to give invitation; offer attractions or allurements.

noun

1. Informal. an invitation.

invite British  

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

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noun

1. an informal word for invitation

Related Words

See call.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of invite

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

Example Sentences

He told the Financial Times in February that The Wall Street Journal could make an inviting target, even though he didn’t think it was available.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some Wells executives were happily surprised to be invited, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Murdock invited him back about a decade later, as Global Crossing was on the rise, with the implicit intention of selling the property to him, Gary said in that interview.

From The Wall Street Journal

I intend to view him as the ultimate borax man for the remainder of his time in office, and I invite you to do likewise.

From The Wall Street Journal

Onlookers are invited to be mesmerized by the fuchsia flames of Gwi-Ma’s realm as the movie’s hooky synth pop bounces in the foreground.

From Salon

Related Words

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