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

But would Republicans, who just saw their leader sweep every battleground state and narrowly win the popular vote, be willing to derail a second Trump presidency — and invite his rage — by actually denying him one of his most important cabinet picks?

From Salon

At “The Big D,” Golden and comics Shawn Pelofsky, Ismael Loutfi, Christie Campagna and Torrance Hill — all “in various stages of divorce” — invite 12 audience members identifying as, per Golden’s description, “divorced, separated, consciously uncoupled, teetering on the edge, divorce-curious, looking to date a divorced human,” onstage for an interview and speed-date pairing.

From Los Angeles Times

In a recording of his lecture that was shared by a conservative commentator on X, Perez asked his students pointed questions about a second Trump presidency, but did not seem to invite a discourse as he railed against the once and future president.

From Los Angeles Times

When Springfield extended the invite for Marx to join him, the latter replied, “f— no.”

From Los Angeles Times

Art leaves gaps that invite collaborative dreaming.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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