# invitation

/ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/invitation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. request to attend

noun · CEFR A2

the act of asking someone to come to a social event or to do something with you.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. physical card or message

noun · CEFR A2

a card or a message that asks you to go to an event.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. encouragement or temptation

noun · CEFR B2

something that makes a particular action or result more likely to happen.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. bridge bid

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific type of bid in the game of bridge that suggests a strong hand.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I received an invitation to her birthday party.
- The couple sent out a formal invitation to every family member three months before the wedding date.
- Accepting a keynote invitation requires significant preparation, as the speaker must tailor their message to the specific interests and professional background of the gathered audience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.