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. 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

The movie’s star Alec Baldwin was not invited and did not attend the premiere.

From BBC

She got her start waiting tables at the Redd Foxx Club on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood, but was noticed for her beauty and invited on stage, where she was a natural.

From Los Angeles Times

Coppola first reached out to Golijov 20 years ago and invited the composer to his home in Napa to discuss “Megalopolis.”

From Los Angeles Times

One of the greatest magic tricks I ever saw unfolded when Johnny Carson invited the illusionist Uri Geller on “The Tonight Show” to bend a spoon with his mind.

From New York Times

Then he appeared to relent, inviting us to interview him at his gym in Puerto Rico.

From BBC

Related Words

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