invite

[ verb in-vahyt; noun in-vahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·vit·ed, in·vit·ing.

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)

, in·vit·ed, in·vit·ing.

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. See invitation
   an informal word for invitation

Derived Forms

• inˈviter, noun

Other Words From

• in·vi·tee [in-vi-, tee, -vahy-], noun
• in·viter in·vitor noun
• prein·vite verb (used with object) preinvited preinviting
• quasi-in·vited adjective
• rein·vite verb reinvited reinviting
• self-in·vited adjective
• unin·vited 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

After every other major league team passed on him, the A’s brought him back to spring training on a non-roster invite but released him shortly thereafter.

From FiveThirtyEight

He returned this winter on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

From Washington Post

While fundraising may no longer require a trip to California, it might depend on whether you got an invite to a private audio app.

From TechCrunch

It’s like having the invite list for a gathering, but not its location, so you know who’s there without knowing where the party’s at.

From Science News

Users could send an invite to any partner and start messaging as soon as it is accepted, the company said in a blog post.

From Washington Post

Tend to your own garden, to quote the great sage of free speech, Voltaire, and invite people to follow your example.

From The Daily Beast

Giving in to the demands of such a leader will, without question, invite greater aggression and brutality.

From The Daily Beast

Giving in, even the slightest amount to international gangsters, will only invite higher prices and worse consequences.

From The Daily Beast

I invite you to reflect on the actual power dynamic between Christians and LGBT people in our society.

From The Daily Beast

I invite you to visit the Gay Christian Network and the Reformation Project, two organizations doing just that.

From The Daily Beast

He made up his mind then and there that he would never again invite Grandfather Mole to walk with him.

From Project Gutenberg

It is combined with these consonant elements in order to invite it forward and bring it to a point (figuratively speaking).

From Project Gutenberg

You must invite only such guests as will mutually please, and you must be careful about introductions.

From Project Gutenberg

If you have a visitor, and desire to introduce her to your friends, you may invite her to accompany you when paying calls.

From Project Gutenberg

If you walk with a gentleman, when he reaches your door invite him in, but if he declines, do not urge him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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