invite
ihn-VYT
Invite (verb) means to ask someone to come to an event or take part in something. Example: “We invited all our neighbours to the barbecue.”
verb
1
To ask someone to come to an event or take part in something.
"We invited all our neighbours to the barbecue."
"She was invited to join the board of directors."
"She invited her classmates to a sleepover for her birthday."
noun
1
Informal: an invitation.
"Did you get an invite to Sam's party?"
"I never got an invite, so I'm not going to the reunion."
"Send me the invite by email and I'll reply tonight."
How to use invite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo ask someone to join you somewhere or do something.
When to use it
Using "invite" as a noun (as in "send an invite") is common in casual speech and text, but "invitation" is preferred in formal writing.
Common pairings
invite someone over
invite comments
send an invite
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Word forms
- Plural
- invites
- Third person singular
- invites
- Past tense
- invited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We _____ all our neighbours to the barbecue.
Etymology
From Latin invitare, "to invite or entertain as a guest."
Related words
Rhymes for invite
See all rhymes for invite →Frequently asked questions
What does “invite” mean?
The word “invite” means to ask someone to come to an event or take part in something. In plain terms, to ask someone to join you somewhere or do something.
How do you pronounce “invite”?
“Invite” is pronounced ihn-VYT (/ɪnˈvaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “invite” in a sentence?
Here is “invite” used in a sentence: “We invited all our neighbours to the barbecue.”
What is another word for “invite”?
Words with a similar meaning to “invite” include lathe.
What part of speech is “invite”?
Depending on how it is used, “invite” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “invite” come from?
The word “invite” comes from Latin. From Latin invitare, "to invite or entertain as a guest.".
Is “invite” a common word?
“Invite” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “invite” have?
“Invite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ask someone to come to an event or take part in something.
What is the difference between "invite" and "invitation"?
Traditionally "invite" is the verb ("I'll invite them") and "invitation" is the noun ("send an invitation"). Using "invite" as a noun ("send an invite") is common but informal, so "invitation" is preferred in formal writing.
Is "invite" as a noun correct?
Using "invite" as a noun meaning an invitation is widely used in casual speech and writing, as in "thanks for the invite." It is considered informal, however, so formal contexts favour "invitation."
What preposition follows "invite"?
"Invite" is commonly followed by "to" for events, as in "invited us to the party," and by "for" with certain occasions, as in "invited them for dinner." To include an action, use "invite someone to do something."
What is the difference between "invite" and "ask"?
"Invite" specifically means asking someone to come to an event or take part in something, usually as a courtesy or honour. "Ask" is much broader and can request information, favours, or actions of any kind.
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