invite

Formsinvites, inviting, invited

Pluralinvites

1. 1
   ask to comeverbtransitive

   To ask for the presence or participation of a person or thing.

   The organizers invite local artists to display their work at the fair.

   They invited several experts to take part in the panel discussion.

   UsageYou invite someone to an event or to do something: invite her to the party, invite them to join.

   Similarask

   Oppositeexclude

2. 2
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A spoken or written request for someone to come somewhere or to take part in something.

   She finally got an invite to the exclusive product launch.

   The invites went out a month before the wedding.

   UsageCasual; on a wedding card or in formal writing, use invitation. You get an invite to something.

   Similarinvitation

3. 3
   draw people inverbtransitive

   To allure or tempt someone, drawing them in with the promise of pleasure or reward.

   The aroma of fresh bread invites passersby into the bakery.

   Soft lighting and quiet music invite guests to linger.

   Similartempt, entice, lure, draw, attract

   Oppositerepel, deter

4. 4
   encourageverbtransitive

   To encourage something to happen or to provoke a particular response.

   Poorly secured systems invite cyberattacks.

   A vague policy invites confusion and disputes.

   UsageCommon pairings: invite trouble, invite criticism, invite comparison, invite questions.

   Similarencourage, provoke

   Oppositediscourage, deter, prevent

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To request something in a formal way, such as bids, comments, or applications.

   We invite proposals from all qualified contractors before Friday.

   The court invited written submissions from both parties.

   UsageOften passive in notices: applications are invited. The people asked follow from: invite questions from the audience.

   Similarrequest

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