invitation
- 01 A2 Elementary
the act of asking someone to come to a social event or to do something with you.
the act of inviting; a formal or informal request for a person's company or participation in an activity.
Simple“I received an invitation to my cousin's wedding in the mail today.”
In context“The committee extended a formal invitation to the professor, hoping she would deliver the keynote address at the annual conference.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
a card or a message that asks you to go to an event.
a written, printed, or digital document conveying a request for attendance.
Simple“The party invitations were printed on thick, gold-edged paper.”
In context“Digital invitations have become increasingly popular for casual gatherings, as they allow hosts to track responses in real time.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
something that makes a particular action or result more likely to happen.
an action or situation that provides an opening or incentive for something to occur, often unintentionally.
Simple“Leaving your car unlocked is an invitation to thieves.”
In context“The vague wording of the new law was seen by many critics as an invitation to further legal challenges and confusion.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
a specific type of bid in the game of bridge that suggests a strong hand.
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.
Simple“His jump to three hearts was an invitation for his partner to bid the game.”
In context“The responder's invitational bid forced the opener to re-evaluate the strength of their hand before committing to the slam.”
UsageUsed specifically within the context of contract bridge bidding systems.
Synonyms
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.