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.
Arnault ended his letter on a more conciliatory note, inviting the Le Monde journalists for an aperitif at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the brand’s contemporary-art museum in Paris.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
On its website, however, Crystal River still is providing information on the Step Up scholarship for parents while inviting students to enroll for next school year.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
“The spacious living room is anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and filled with natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyday living and entertaining,” the listing reads.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
Protesters are inviting soccer fans to join them in issuing referee-style red cards during the World Cup final.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
Audrey hadn’t been happy that Jenna was spending so much time at my house, so I started inviting her over, too.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
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.
