verb

invest

ihn-VEHST

verb

To put money into something, such as a business, property, or shares, in the hope of making a profit.

"They decided to invest their savings in a small tech startup."

"She invests a portion of every paycheck in an index fund."

To devote time, effort, or energy to something for a future benefit.

"He invested years of hard work into building his reputation as a chef."

Formal: to officially give someone a position or power, often in a ceremony.

"The new bishop was invested with full authority over the diocese."

How to Use Invest

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put money, time, or effort into something now, expecting a payoff later.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the financial sense with the older, formal sense of ceremonially "investing" someone with an office or authority — both share the same root but mean very different things.

Common pairings

invest in stocks invest money invest time and effort

Word Forms

invested past tense, invests plural, invests singular

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They decided to _____ their savings in a small tech startup.

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.

Synonyms

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don dress

Antonyms

divest disinvest

Related Words

don apparel undress robe clothe equip

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