invite

/ɪnˈvaɪt/

Other forms: invited; inviting; invites

When you invite a friend to do something, you request her company, or encourage her to come with you. You might invite a group of neighbors to help you throw a block party.

You could invite your friend to join you on a road trip, or invite your parents to your art show at a local gallery. You're making a polite request. Similarly, a newspaper might invite readers' comments, or a school might invite ideas for how to spend grant money. Invite is also casual shorthand for "invitation." When you tempt someone to react, you also invite that reaction: "Your strange film really invites harsh criticism."

Definitions of invite

1. verb

   ask someone in a friendly way to do something
   synonyms: bid

   types:

   allure, tempt

   dispose or incline or entice to

   challenge

   issue a challenge to

   provoke, stimulate

   provide the needed stimulus for

   counterchallenge

   challenge in turn

   call into question, oppugn, question

   challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

   impeach

   challenge the honesty or veracity of

   impugn

   attack as false or wrong

   dare, defy

   challenge

   call one's bluff

   ask to prove what someone is claiming

   call out

   challenge to a duel

   remand, remit, send back

   refer (a matter or legal case) to another committee or authority or court for decision

   appeal

   take a court case to a higher court for review

   action, litigate, process, sue

   institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

   litigate

   engage in legal proceedings

   type of:

   request

   ask (a person) to do something
2. verb

   request the participation or presence of
   “The organizers invite submissions of papers for the conference”

   synonyms: call for

   bespeak, call for, quest, request

   express the need or desire for; ask for

   type of:

   bespeak, call for, quest, request

   express the need or desire for; ask for
3. verb

   have as a guest
   “I invited them to a restaurant”

   synonyms: pay for

   type of:

   interact

   act together or towards others or with others
4. verb

   invite someone to one's house
   “Can I invite you for dinner on Sunday night?”

   synonyms: ask over, ask round

   ask in

   ask to enter

   type of:

   bespeak, call for, quest, request

   express the need or desire for; ask for
5. verb

   express willingness to have in one's home or environs
   synonyms: receive, take in

   types:

   welcome

   receive someone, as into one's house

   absorb

   assimilate or take in

   see

   receive as a specified guest

   assume

   take up someone's soul into heaven

   induct

   admit as a member
6. verb

   ask to enter
   “We invited the neighbors in for a cup of coffee”

   synonyms: ask in

   ask over, ask round

   invite someone to one's house

   types:

   call in

   summon to enter

   type of:

   bespeak, call for, quest, request

   express the need or desire for; ask for
7. noun

   a colloquial expression for invitation
   type of:

   invitation

   a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
8. verb

   increase the likelihood of
   “invite criticism”

   synonyms: ask for

   type of:

   arouse, elicit, enkindle, evoke, fire, kindle, pique, provoke, raise

   call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
9. verb

   give rise to a desire by being attractive or inviting
   synonyms: tempt

   type of:

   excite, shake, shake up, stimulate, stir

   stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of