invitation

invitation — noun

1. the act of politely asking someone whether they would like to come with you to a

1.nounB1
Definition

the act of politely asking someone whether they would like to come with you to an event or join you in doing something

Example

Tunde accepted Elena's invitation to attend his art exhibition next month.

accept + invitation + to-infinitive

Christopher received an invitation to speak about renewable energy at the conference.

Common collocations
  • extend an invitation
  • accept an invitation
  • decline an invitation
  • receive an invitation
  • by invitation
Synonyms
  • request

    more formal and broader; a request may be for anything, not just company or attendance

  • offer

    suggests the person proposing the activity is also the host; less common for event attendance

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

an invitation + to-infinitive

an invitation + to + noun

by invitation (uncountable)

Usage Note

The countable form (an invitation) refers to a specific instance of asking someone. The uncountable form appears mainly in the fixed phrase 'by invitation', meaning that entry is restricted to people who have been asked.

Common Mistakes

I got invitation to her party.
I got an invitation to her party.
'invitation' is countable when referring to a specific request and needs the article 'a' or 'an'.

2. a printed card, sheet of paper, or electronic message that asks someone to atten

2.nounA2
Definition

a printed card, sheet of paper, or electronic message that asks someone to attend a social event such as a party, wedding, or meeting

Example

Trang spent the whole evening addressing invitations for her grandmother's birthday party.

collocation: addressing invitations

Mert found the wedding invitation tucked inside a pile of old letters on his desk.

Common collocations
  • send out invitations
  • RSVP to an invitation
  • wedding invitation
  • birthday invitation
  • formal invitation
Synonyms
  • invite

    informal shortening of 'invitation', common in casual speech ('Did you get the party invite?')

  • card

    more general; not all cards are invitations

Grammar Patterns

an invitation + to + event noun

send / send out + invitation

Usage Note

Always countable. You 'send out' or 'mail' invitations. When you receive one, you are expected to RSVP (reply whether you will attend).

Common Mistakes

I sent her a invitation.
I sent her an invitation.
'invitation' begins with a vowel sound, so it takes 'an'.

3. a behaviour or situation that makes it more likely that something unpleasant or

3.nounC1
Definition

a behaviour or situation that makes it more likely that something unpleasant or harmful will occur, such as crime, criticism, or unwanted attention

Example

Leaving the garage door open is an open invitation to thieves in this neighbourhood.

fixed phrase: an open invitation to [negative thing]

Élise realised that posting her daily schedule online was an invitation for strangers to track her movements.

Common collocations
  • an open invitation
  • an invitation to crime
  • an invitation to trouble
  • practically an invitation
Synonyms
  • provocation

    stronger, implies deliberate action aimed at triggering a reaction

  • temptation

    focuses on the attractiveness of the bad outcome rather than the likelihood

Antonyms
  • deterrent

    something that discourages an unwanted action

  • prevention

    active measures that stop something from happening

Grammar Patterns

an invitation + to + noun (especially something negative)

an open invitation + to + noun

Usage Note

Almost always singular. Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'an open invitation to', meaning something strongly encourages a specific bad outcome. The preposition is usually 'to' (occasionally 'for').

Common Mistakes

The unlocked door is an invitation for thieves.
The unlocked door is an invitation to thieves.
in this sense, the standard preposition is 'to', not 'for'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Invitation, request, offer, and proposal all involve asking something of someone, but they differ in tone and context. An invitation is the friendliest of the four: you are asking someone to share an experience or join you, usually for mutual enjoyment (e.g., 'Tunde accepted Elena's invitation to the exhibition'). A request is more neutral and can be for anything — information, permission, or a favour ('Christopher made a request for the meeting notes'). An offer places the speaker in the role of provider: you offer to do something for the other person ('Faisal offered to drive everyone to the airport'). A proposal puts forward a plan for consideration, often in a formal or business setting ('The team discussed Elena's proposal for a new research project'). When you want to express warmth and a desire for someone's company, invitation is the right word; for formal or transactional situations, request or proposal fit better.

request ↗offer ↗proposal ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • by invitation only
  • at someone's invitation
  • on invitation
  • an open invitation
  • by your kind invitation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Invitation comes from the Latin verb 'invitare', meaning 'to invite' or 'to entertain'. This passed into Old French as 'invitation' and entered English in the 1300s. The core idea of 'calling someone in a friendly way' has stayed consistent across all three senses, though the figurative sense (encouraging something bad) developed later in the 1500s as a metaphorical extension.