inviting
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inviting
Explanation
Inviting things are very appealing. Your host's inviting smile makes you truly feel welcomed and even a little bit charmed. On a hot summer day, nothing looks quite as inviting as a cool, sparkling swimming pool, and when you come inside after walking home in the snow, a cozy fire in the wood stove is also quite inviting. Something inviting promises comfort or pleasure. The word comes from invitation, from the Latin invitare, "invite, treat, or entertain," which originally meant "be pleasant toward."
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.
Eisenkot, a former chief of Israel’s military, considered inviting the Arabs, but seemed to have decided against it as well.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2026
She ended her speech by inviting her Indian American family to the stage — parents, brother, husband and twin 10-year-old children.
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
Giving away possession easily, inviting Hearts on to them.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
“It’s a pleasure, Señora Caridad. Thank you for inviting us.”
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
