invite

invite — verb

1. to make a friendly request for someone to join you at an event, a meal, or anoth

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to make a friendly request for someone to join you at an event, a meal, or another planned occasion

Example

Talia invited her classmates to her birthday party at the community pool.

invite + person + to + event

The school principal invited parents to attend the annual talent show.

invite + person + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • invite someone to
  • invite someone over
  • invite someone along
  • cordially invite
Synonyms
  • ask

    less formal and broader; 'ask' can be used for requests that are not invitations to events

  • call over

    very informal and implies a casual summoning rather than a planned invitation

Antonyms
  • exclude

    to deliberately leave someone out of an event or activity

  • turn away

    to reject someone who wants to come

Grammar Patterns

invite + person

invite + person + to-infinitive

invite + person + to + place/event

Usage Note

Commonly followed by 'to' to specify the event or place (invite someone to a party / to dinner). In informal speech, 'over' or 'round' replace the prepositional phrase for home visits.

Common Mistakes

I invited him a party.
I invited him to a party.
The preposition 'to' is required before the event or place.
She invited me come to her house.
She invited me to come to her house.
Use 'to' before the verb when using an infinitive after 'invite'.

2. to formally or politely ask for something such as written proposals, opinions, o

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to formally or politely ask for something such as written proposals, opinions, or financial offers from people or organisations

Example

The university invited applications for its new master's programme in engineering.

invite applications — common formal collocation

Liang's team invited feedback from customers after the product launch.

Common collocations
  • invite applications
  • invite comments
  • invite bids
  • invite tenders
  • invite proposals
  • invite submissions
Synonyms
  • solicit

    more formal than 'invite' and often implies actively seeking specific input such as donations or votes

  • request

    broader in register and can replace 'invite' in any formal context

Grammar Patterns

invite + noun phrase (applications/comments/bids/tenders)

be invited + to-infinitive

invite + person + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Typical objects are formal nouns such as 'applications', 'bids', 'tenders', 'comments', 'submissions', or 'proposals'. The subject is usually an organisation or institution. This sense is rarely used in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

They invited offers for the new position.
They invited applications for the new position.
'invite' in this sense pairs with 'applications' or 'proposals', not 'offers'.
My friend invited my opinion on her dress.
My friend asked for my opinion on her dress.
This sense is for formal/organisational contexts, not personal advice-seeking.

3. to do something that raises the chance of an unwanted outcome, often by acting c

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to do something that raises the chance of an unwanted outcome, often by acting carelessly or unwisely

Example

Leaving your bike unlocked overnight in this neighbourhood is just inviting trouble.

invite trouble — fixed idiomatic phrase

The politician's careless remarks invited sharp criticism from the press.

Common collocations
  • invite trouble
  • invite criticism
  • invite disaster
  • invite controversy
  • invite ridicule
Synonyms
  • court

    more literary and suggests actively seeking a particular result, often with awareness

  • provoke

    implies a more direct and immediate cause-effect relationship

Antonyms
  • avoid

    to stay away from or prevent something unwanted

  • deter

    to discourage something from happening

Grammar Patterns

invite + noun phrase (criticism/trouble/danger/scorn)

Usage Note

The object is nearly always something negative — criticism, trouble, disaster, ridicule, or scorn. This sense does not take a person as the object; it is the outcome that is invited.

Common Mistakes

His hard work invited praise from the manager.
His hard work earned praise from the manager.
This sense of 'invite' only attracts negative outcomes.
She invited her friends to comment on her speech.
She asked her friends to comment on her speech.
Use 'ask', not this sense of 'invite', when the result is neutral or positive.
Phrasal verbs

invite along

phrasal verb

To ask someone to join you on a trip or activity.

Maya invited her friend along to the concert.

Did you invite your brother along for the hike?

invite around

phrasal verb

To ask someone to come to your home for a social visit.

Sara invited her neighbors around for coffee.

We should invite the new family around for dinner.

invite back

phrasal verb

To ask someone to return to your home after an event or date.

Diego invited his date back for a nightcap.

After the party, Min invited a few friends back.

invite in

phrasal verb

To ask someone to enter your home or a building.

Aiden invited the delivery person in for water.

She invited me in to see her new paintings.

invite over

phrasal verb

To ask someone to come to your home for a social visit.

Brian invited his classmates over for a study session.

Have you invited your cousin over this weekend?

invite round

phrasal verb

To ask someone to come to your home for a social visit.

Maya invited her colleagues round for a barbecue.

Why don't you invite your friend round for tea?

invite — noun

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • invite someone to do something
  • be invited to something
  • send out invites

Prepositions