invest
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to put (money) to use, by purchase or expenditure, in something offering potential profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.
-
to use (money), as in accumulating something.
to invest large sums in books.
-
to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something.
He invested a lot of time in cleaning up the neighborhood after the flood.
-
to furnish with power, authority, rank, etc..
The Constitution invests the president with the power of veto.
-
to furnish or endow with a power, right, etc.; vest.
Feudalism invested the lords with absolute authority over their vassals.
-
to endow with a quality or characteristic.
to invest a friend with every virtue.
-
to infuse or belong to, as a quality or characteristic.
Goodness invests his every action.
-
Metallurgy. to surround (a pattern) with an investment.
-
to provide with the insignia of office.
-
to install in an office or position.
-
to clothe, attire, or dress.
-
to cover, adorn, or envelop.
Spring invests the trees with leaves.
-
to surround (a place) with military forces or works so as to prevent approach or escape; besiege.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(often foll by in) to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit
-
to devote (effort, resources, etc, to a project)
-
archaic (tr; often foll by in or with) to clothe or adorn (in some garment, esp the robes of an office)
to invest a king in the insignia of an emperor
-
to install formally or ceremoniously (in an official position, rank, etc)
-
(tr; foll by in or with) to place (power, authority, etc, in) or provide (with power or authority)
to invest new rights in the monarchy
-
(tr; usually passive; foll by in or with) to provide or endow (a person with qualities, characteristics, etc)
he was invested with great common sense
-
poetic to cover or adorn, as if with a coat or garment
when spring invests the trees with leaves
-
rare (tr) to surround with military forces; besiege
-
informal to purchase; buy
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of invest
First recorded in 1525–35; from Old Italian investire, from Medieval Latin investīre “to install, invest (money), surround, clothe in,” Latin: “to clothe, deck, adorn,” equivalent to in- prefix + vestīre “to clothe, dress,” derivative of vestis “clothes, garment”; see in- 2, vest
Explanation
When you invest, you put time or money into something, hoping that there will be returns greater than what was originally put in. You commonly hear talk of investing money, but you can invest time in a project as well. You can invest your hopes or emotions in a person. The money, time, or hope is called the investment. Invest can also mean to endow with a power or quality. Laws invest police officers with abilities that regular citizens do not have. Invest originally meant to clothe. In fact, there is a room in some churches still called a vestry where priests get into their garb.
Vocabulary lists containing invest
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 8
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Industrial Revolution - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Between 2026 and 2030, Commerzbank said it plans to invest 600 million euros into AI.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
Tech companies have approached Korean memory chip maker SK Hynix with offers to invest in production lines and fund purchases manufacturing tools, Reuters reported Thursday.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
“This agreement is a testament to the joint commitment of the league and union to invest in and improve officiating,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
McGinn said that, speaking from a strict military preparedness perspective, there can never be enough depth and that the only way to achieve more depth is to invest in more breadth.
From Salon • May 8, 2026
Maybe if she amasses $4,000, her brother Marco will help her invest it in Honduras.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
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.
