invite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a colloquial expression for invitation
    • he didn't get no invite to the party
  2. verb increase the likelihood of
    ask for.
    • ask for trouble
    • invite criticism
  3. verb invite someone to one's house
    ask over; ask round.
    • Can I invite you for dinner on Sunday night?
  4. verb give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
    tempt.
    • the window displays tempted the shoppers
  5. verb ask someone in a friendly way to do something
    bid.
  6. verb have as a guest
    pay for.
    • I invited them to a restaurant
  7. verb ask to enter
    ask in.
    • We invited the neighbors in for a cup of coffee
  8. verb request the participation or presence of
    call for.
    • The organizers invite submissions of papers for the conference
  9. verb express willingness to have in one's home or environs
    receive; take in.
    • The community warmly received the refugees

WordNet


In*vite" transitive verb
Etymology
L. invitare: cf. F. inviter. See Vie.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Invited; present participle & verbal noun Inviting
Definitions
  1. To ask; to request; to bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite to dinner, or a wedding, or an excursion.
    So many guests invite as here are writ. Shak.
    I invite his Grace of Castle Rackrent to reflect on this. Carlyle.
  2. To allure; to draw to; to tempt to come; to induce by pleasure or hope; to attract.
    To inveigle and invite the unwary sense. Milton.
    Shady groves, that easy sleep invite. Dryden.
    There no delusive hope invites despair. Cowper.
  3. To give occasion for; as, to invite criticism. Syn. -- To solicit; bid; call; ask; summon; allure; attract; entice; persuade.
In*vite" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To give invitation. Milton.

Webster 1913