invite
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
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to request politely or formally.
to invite donations.
- Synonyms:
- solicit
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to act so as to bring on or render probable.
to invite accidents by fast driving.
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to call forth or give occasion for.
Those big shoes invite laughter.
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to attract, allure, entice, or tempt.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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to ask (a person or persons) in a friendly or polite way (to do something, attend an event, etc)
he invited them to dinner
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to make a request for, esp publicly or formally
to invite applications
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to bring on or provoke; give occasion for
you invite disaster by your actions
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to welcome or tempt
noun
Synonym Usage
See call.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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self-invitedadjective
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quasi-invitedadjective
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uninvitedadjective
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invitornoun
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inviteenoun
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preinviteverb (used with object)
-
reinviteverb
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inviternoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has invitedperfect 3rd person singular
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have invitedperfect
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am invitingprogressive 1st person singular
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is invitingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are invitingprogressive
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have been invitingperfect progressive
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has been invitingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
invitingparticiple
-
invitessingular 3rd person
Past
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had invitedperfect
-
was invitingprogressive singular
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had been invitingperfect progressive
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were invitingprogressive plural
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invitedsimple
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invitedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of invite
First recorded in 1525–35, invite is from the Latin word invītāre
Explanation
When you invite a friend to do something, you request her company, or encourage her to come with you. You might invite a group of neighbors to help you throw a block party. You could invite your friend to join you on a road trip, or invite your parents to your art show at a local gallery. You're making a polite request. Similarly, a newspaper might invite readers' comments, or a school might invite ideas for how to spend grant money. Invite is also casual shorthand for "invitation." When you tempt someone to react, you also invite that reaction: "Your strange film really invites harsh criticism."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After their private meeting, Zelensky thanked the UK for its "ironclad" support and revealed he planned to invite the King for a state visit to Ukraine in the future.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
“Instead of turning it into a speech, why not invite smaller artists/bands who would be happy to celebrate America’s 250th?” someone else pleaded.
From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026
"I invite all of Colombia to vote in complete freedom."
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
After sharing your view, invite your team to challenge your thinking.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
But then I invite her to come hiking and explain that I’d like a chance to talk.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
