invite

To ask someone to come to a place or take part in an activity.

• Can I invite Sam?
• They invited us to their wedding.
• We often invite friends over for dinner.

How to use it: invite someone to something (We invited our neighbors to the party.); invite someone to do something (She invited me to join the club.); invite someone over (I invited him over for lunch.)

Similar words: ask

Common phrases: invite someone over, invite someone to dinner, invite a friend

To politely or officially ask someone to do something.

• We invite your comments.
• The company invited applications for the new role.
• The speaker invited everyone to be seated.

How to use it: invite someone to do something (The chair invited us to ask questions.); invite something from someone (We invite comments from all residents.)

Similar words: request, ask for

Common phrases: invite someone to speak, invite applications, invite comments

To make a reaction or event more likely, often something unwanted.

• Such behavior invites trouble.
• The decision invited criticism from local people.
• Leaving the door unlocked could invite theft.

Similar words: attract, encourage, provoke

Opposites: discourage

Common phrases: invite trouble, invite criticism, invite comparison