invite

verb

in·​vite in-ˈvīt 

invited; inviting

transitive verb

1

a

: to request the presence or participation of

invited us to dinner

b

: to request formally

c

: to urge politely : welcome

invite comments

2

a

: to increase the likelihood of

invite trouble

b

: to offer an incentive or inducement to : entice

inviter noun

Did you know?

Is invite really a noun?

Yes. Some people feel strongly that the role of invite should be restricted to that of verb, but the English language changes and grows according to its own peculiar whims, and not those of people who write angry letters to dictionaries. The process whereby a word changes its part of speech is called functional shift, and there are tens of thousands of words which have done this. Some of them just bother people more than others, and invite (along with gift and friend, which have changed in the opposite direction) is one that attracts considerable opprobrium.

Synonyms of invite

• ask

Examples of invite in a Sentence

I visited their house once, but they've never invited me back.

I'm planning to invite them for the weekend.

Aren't you going to invite me in for a coffee?

The event is limited to invited guests.

Employees are invited to apply for the new position.

The college invited her to speak at the graduation ceremony.

The company invites suggestions from customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Except, according to Porsha, Dennis McKinley, of all people, was invited a week before Cynthia and Phaedra. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 June 2026

This impossibility invites us to reimagine and revive cultural production as a site to theorize the many experiences of Black motherhood. —Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

Blending Old World charm with modern hospitality, Pella offers an inviting escape steeped in culture, history and warm community spirit. —Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026

The 11-acre site also offers a front-row view of windsurfers and wingfoilers skimming across Howe Sound, with paved paths and grassy areas that invite a picnic by the water. —Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French inviter, from Latin invitare

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for invite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

invite

1 of 2 verb

in·​vite in-ˈvīt 

invited; inviting

1

: to make more likely

behavior that invites criticism

invite disaster by speeding

2

a

: to request the presence or participation of

b

: to request formally or politely

inviter noun

invite

2 of 2 noun

in·​vite ˈin-ˌvīt 

: invitation