involve

in·volve

transitive verb \in-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\

in·volvedin·volv·ing

Definition of INVOLVE

1

archaic : to enfold or envelop so as to encumber

2

a : to engage as a participant <workers involved in building a house>

b : to oblige to take part <right of Congress to involve the nation in war>

c : to occupy (as oneself) absorbingly; especially : to commit (as oneself) emotionally <was involved with a married man>

3

: to surround as if with a wrapping : envelop

4

a archaic : to wind, coil, or wreathe about

b : to relate closely : connect

5

a : to have within or as part of itself : include

b : to require as a necessary accompaniment : entail

c : ³affect <the cancer involved the lymph nodes>

— in·volve·ment \-ˈvälv-mənt, -ˈvȯlv-\ noun

— in·volv·er noun

Examples of INVOLVE

1. He told us a story involving life on a farm.
2. She remained involved with the organization for many years.
3. Renovating the house involved hiring a contractor.
4. The disease continued to spread until it involved the entire jaw.

Origin of INVOLVE

Middle English, to roll up, wrap, from Latin involvere, from in- + volvere to roll — more at voluble

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INVOLVE

Synonyms

affect, concern, touch

Antonyms

exclude, leave (out), miss out [British], omit

Related Words

appertain (to), apply (to), bear (on), pertain (to), refer (to), relate (to); embroil, ensnare, entangle, implicate

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit; deny, refuse, reject; eliminate, except, rule out; lose, mislay, misplace

See Synonym Discussion at include

Rhymes with INVOLVE

absolve, convolve, devolve, dissolve, evolve, resolve, revolve

in·volve

transitive verb \in-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\   (Medical Dictionary)

in·volved; in·volv·ing

Medical Definition of INVOLVE

: to affect with a disease or condition : include in an area of damage, trauma, or insult <all the bones of the skull were involved in the proliferative process> <herpes involved the trigeminal nerve> <severely involved patients were isolated> <lacerations involved the muscles>