invite
Americanverb (used with object)
-
invites,
present (3rd person singular)
-
invited,
past participle, past
-
inviting
present participle
-
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
-
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.
-
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)
-
invites,
present (3rd person singular)
-
invited,
past participle, past
-
inviting
present participle
noun
-
invites
plural
verb
-
to ask (a person or persons) in a friendly or polite way (to do something, attend an event, etc)
he invited them to dinner
-
to make a request for, esp publicly or formally
to invite applications
-
to bring on or provoke; give occasion for
you invite disaster by your actions
-
to welcome or tempt
noun
Synonym Usage
See call.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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inviteenoun
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inviternoun
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invitornoun
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reinviteverb
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preinviteverb (used with object)
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quasi-invitedadjective
-
self-invitedadjective
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uninvitedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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invitesimple
-
invitessimple
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have invitedperfect
-
has invitedperfect
-
am invitingprogressive
-
are invitingprogressive
-
is invitingprogressive
-
have been invitingperfect progressive
-
has been invitingperfect progressive
Past
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invitedsimple
-
had invitedperfect
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was invitingprogressive
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were invitingprogressive
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had been invitingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
Cifarelli plans to bring Sonia-Wallace and his typewriter back to LAX in the coming months, and to invite a piano and other poets along.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026
Megaspeed has reportedly continued buying Nvidia products this year, sometimes using intermediaries, and Chang said those purchases will likely invite questions over how the chip maker is vetting customers.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026
He later noted that listening to Chuwi while living in Los Angeles was a small part of what spurred him to make that album — and invite the band for a feature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
The study found that executives who invite colleagues to speak on quarterly earnings calls are more likely to be promoted.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
“It’s not as much fun when you know someone had to invite you,” Madge says.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
Burnham invites Swinney to work together on 'deeper Scottish devolution'
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
“It invites you. That’s the quiet truth at the heart of every listening bar: the room listens back.”
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026
Right at the moment when more cracks materialize, Ye-ji invites this broken family for a shared weekend at Sang-woo’s vacation mansion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Carlyle invites existing and potential clients to daylong gatherings that include meeting the drivers and a tour of the F1 garage and paddock.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Then, in the cold voice of an adder, “The bell invites me. Hear it not, Merlin, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
One advantage of being 70 is that we keep getting invited to free dinners and lunches.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
It is six o'clock in the morning and the BBC has been invited to a police briefing involving undercover officers in Merthyr Tydfil.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Judge Darrin Gayles had tossed the case once but invited the President to refile and show evidence that the Journal had acted with “actual malice” in its reporting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
Ministers were invited to attend an American football game between the University of Georgia and the University of Florida -- for which Rubio's son plays.
From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026
In the best place, the best moment, the one she would have gladly lived inside of forever if invited.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Barros even cites Brazil’s quintessentially warm and inviting nature as the reason Farm’s clothes travel so well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Be it with candles or the pine sticks preferred in Sagada, lighting a flame is "inviting the presence of Christ with us, having fellowship with our departed loved ones", he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Now, Norway is making the most of its presidential publicity, inviting visitors to discover some of the world’s most scenic places to answer nature’s call.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026
An analysis of earnings calls over 10 years finds that inviting others to speak makes an executive seem more cooperative and collaborative.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
“Well, yes, but isn’t it rather warm for such a long walk?” he answered slowly, for the shaded salon looked inviting after the glare without.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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