Word
invitation
Phoneticsin·vi·ta·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/
UK/ɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01request to attend
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. the act of asking someone to come to a social event or to do something with you.
n. the act of inviting; a formal or informal request for a person's company or participation in an activity.
“I received an invitation to my cousin's wedding in the mail today.”
“The committee extended a formal invitation to the professor, hoping she would deliver the keynote address at the annual conference.”
02physical card or message
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a card or a message that asks you to go to an event.
n. a written, printed, or digital document conveying a request for attendance.
“The party invitations were printed on thick, gold-edged paper.”
“Digital invitations have become increasingly popular for casual gatherings, as they allow hosts to track responses in real time.”
03encouragement or temptation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. something that makes a particular action or result more likely to happen.
n. an action or situation that provides an opening or incentive for something to occur, often unintentionally.
“Leaving your car unlocked is an invitation to thieves.”
“The vague wording of the new law was seen by many critics as an invitation to further legal challenges and confusion.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04bridge bid
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a specific type of bid in the game of bridge that suggests a strong hand.
n. a bid that communicates to a partner that a higher contract is possible if their hand is at the upper end of its previously indicated range.
“His jump to three hearts was an invitation for his partner to bid the game.”
“The responder's invitational bid forced the opener to re-evaluate the strength of their hand before committing to the slam.”
Usage
Used specifically within the context of contract bridge bidding systems.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It appeared to be an invitation from someone he once worked with at The Palm Beach Post, a man who had left Florida for Mississippi and liked to arrange dinners when he was back in town.” “Email scams that look like an Evite or Paperless Post invitation are meant to snatch your data.” “Presidents have always used invitations to the White House as a prestigious reward for friends and supporters, but Trump’s rebranding of an iconic area of the People’s House is unprecedented.” “Rejecting an invitation can lead to hurt feelings.” Etymology
From Middle English invitacioun, ynvytacioun, from Latin invītātio, reinforced by Middle French invitation. By surface analysis, invite + -ation. Displaced native Middle English lathinge from Old English laþung (see dialectal English lathing).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. open invitation
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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