verb / noun

invite

in-VYTE/ɪnˈvaɪt/

To ask for someone or something to come forward.

The host invites her friend to join everyone at the table.

Latina host gestures warmly for a friend to join friends at a dinner table.

Etymology

Latin invitare covered both summoning people and entertaining them, connecting a request to come with hospitality. Its deeper origin is uncertain, so a more literal root explanation is unavailable.

In context

Nebraska Library Commission19:43

we'd like to challenge you to make a list of three organizations that you haven't yet reached out to and invite them for a coffee in the next couple of months

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2015 - The Little Library that Could (and did!)

More examples

Thanks for the invite to your birthday party.
The committee invites comments on the proposed changes.
Leaving valuables in plain sight invites trouble.

Forms

invite · invites · invited · inviting

invitation noun — A request to attend or participate.

Similar words

ask: Makes a general request, not necessarily for attendance or participation.
solicit: More formally requests participation, help, or a response.