involve
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for involve, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To include something as a necessary part.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To include something as a necessary part.
“The job involves a lot of travel.”
2. verb
To bring someone into a situation so that they take part or are affected.
“They decided to involve the whole team in the decision.”
Opposites
How to use involve
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
involve risk
get involved
involve someone in a decision
Etymology
From Latin involvere, "to roll into, wrap up, or envelop" (in- + volvere, "to roll").
Full origin of involve →Frequently asked questions
What does “involve” mean?
The word “involve” means to include something as a necessary part. In plain terms, to include something as part of a process, or to bring someone into a situation.
How do you pronounce “involve”?
“Involve” is pronounced ihn-VOLV (/ɪnˈvɑlv/ in IPA).
How do you use “involve” in a sentence?
Here is “involve” used in a sentence: “The job involves a lot of travel.”
What part of speech is “involve”?
“Involve” is a verb.
Where does the word “involve” come from?
The word “involve” comes from Latin. From Latin involvere, "to roll into, wrap up, or envelop" (in- + volvere, "to roll").
Is “involve” a common word?
“Involve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “involve” have?
“Involve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to include something as a necessary part.
What is the difference between "involve" and "include"?
"Involve" often means to make something a necessary part or consequence, as in "the job involves travel," implying it cannot be avoided. "Include" simply means to contain something as one part among others, without the same sense of necessity.
What preposition follows "involve"?
"Involve" is usually followed by "in," as in "she was involved in the project" or "don't involve me in your argument." You involve someone in an activity or situation.
