invited; inviting

transitive verb

1
a
: to request the presence or participation of
invited us to dinner
b
: to request formally
c
: to urge politely : welcome
invite comments
2
a
: to increase the likelihood of
invite trouble
b
: to offer an incentive or inducement to : entice
inviter noun

Did you know?

Is invite really a noun?

Yes. Some people feel strongly that the role of invite should be restricted to that of verb, but the English language changes and grows according to its own peculiar whims, and not those of people who write angry letters to dictionaries. The process whereby a word changes its part of speech is called functional shift, and there are tens of thousands of words which have done this. Some of them just bother people more than others, and invite (along with gift and friend, which have changed in the opposite direction) is one that attracts considerable opprobrium.

Examples of invite in a Sentence

Verb I visited their house once, but they've never invited me back. I'm planning to invite them for the weekend. Aren't you going to invite me in for a coffee?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
True Modern Mexican invites guests to enjoy their frozen Margarita Al Centro. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025 All ages are invited and the gates at Gallagher Square adjacent to Petco Park open at 7 p.m. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
Noun
There’s also a giant eat-in kitchen, a handful of grand yet cozy sitting rooms, and a separate guest cottage for friends, staff, or whoever’s lucky enough to get an invite. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 July 2025 Even a young Cora taking in the opera in N.Y.C. or getting an invite to a ball in Newport could be a possibility. Stacy Lambe, People.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for invite

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French or Latin; Middle French inviter, from Latin invitare

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invite was in 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invite. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

invite

1 of 2 verb
invited; inviting
1
: to make more likely
behavior that invites criticism
invite disaster by speeding
2
a
: to request the presence or participation of
b
: to request formally or politely
inviter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on invite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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