invest
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for invest, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To put money into something, such as a business, property, or shares, in the hope of making a profit.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use invest
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle French investir, ultimately from Latin investire, "to clothe or cover" (in- + vestire, "to dress" — related to "vest"). The money sense grew out of the idea of "clothing" your capital in a venture, arriving in English via Italian investire.
Full origin of invest →Frequently asked questions
What does “invest” mean?
The word “invest” means to put money into something, such as a business, property, or shares, in the hope of making a profit. In plain terms, to put money, time, or effort into something now, expecting a payoff later.
How do you pronounce “invest”?
“Invest” is pronounced ihn-VEHST (/ɪnˈvɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “invest” in a sentence?
Here is “invest” used in a sentence: “They decided to invest their savings in a small tech startup.”
What is another word for “invest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “invest” include don and dress.
What is the opposite of “invest”?
The opposite of “invest” — its antonyms — are divest and disinvest.
What part of speech is “invest”?
“Invest” is a verb.
Where does the word “invest” come from?
The word “invest” comes from Latin.
Is “invest” a common word?
“Invest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "invest in" and "invest into"?
The standard phrasing is "invest in something," as in "invest in shares" or "invest in your future." "Invest into" is far less common and generally considered non-standard, so "invest in" is the safer choice for both the money and effort senses.
What is the difference between "invest" and "spend"?
To spend is simply to use up money on something, while to invest is to put money in with the expectation of a future return or profit. Investing implies you hope to get something back, whereas spending does not.
Can you "invest" time as well as money?
Yes. Besides putting in money, "invest" can mean to devote time, effort, or energy to something for a future benefit, as in "invest time in learning a language." Here the return is personal or professional growth rather than financial profit.