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verb B1 Intermediate Common

invest

ihn-VEHST
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Invest (verb) means to put money into something, such as a business, property, or shares, in the hope of making a profit. Example: “Many young people invest small amounts each month through a savings app.”

verb
1
To put money into something, such as a business, property, or shares, in the hope of making a profit.
"Many young people invest small amounts each month through a savings app."
"They decided to invest their savings in a small tech startup."
"She invests a portion of every paycheck in an index fund."
2
To devote time, effort, or energy to something for a future benefit.
"Our teacher invests a lot of her evenings in preparing lessons for the whole class."
"If you invest time in learning the basics now, the advanced topics will feel easier."
"He invested years of hard work into building his reputation as a chef."
3
Formal: to officially give someone a position or power, often in a ceremony.
"At the ceremony, the president invested the new judge with the powers of her office."
"The king was invested with the crown in a solemn service attended by hundreds."
"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
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Word forms

Plural
invests
Third person singular
invests
Past tense
invested
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Many young people _____ small amounts each month through a savings app.

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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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fund finance back sink devote commit clothe empower adorn endow don dress

Antonyms

divest disinvest

Related words

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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.

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