invites; invited; inviting
1
a
: to ask (someone) to go somewhere or do something
He invited a few friends (to come) over to his house after work.
She invited them (to go) out to dinner.
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.
b
: to ask (someone) formally or politely to do something
Employees are invited to apply for the new position.
The college invited her to speak at the graduation ceremony.
c
: to request (something) formally or politely
The company invites suggestions from customers.
2
: to make (something unwanted) more likely to happen
behavior that invites criticism
invite disaster by speeding
plural invites
informal
: invitation sense 1
Did you send out the invites to the party?
Thanks for the invite!
Cite this Entry
“Invite.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/invite. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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