invitationnoun
uk/ˌɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃən/us/ˌɪn.vəˈteɪ.ʃən/invitation noun (ASK TO AN EVENT)
A2 [ C or U ] the act of inviting someone to go to an event:
Thanks for the invitation to your birthday party.
I'm happy to accept your invitation.
The first day of the exhibition will be by invitation (only) (= only those who have been invited can come).
More examples
- The invitation says to wear evening dress.
- I delivered her invitation by hand .
- They had to refuse the dinner invitation because of a prior engagement .
- The invitation was written in beautiful italic script.
- We received another invitation to a wedding this morning.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Inviting & summoning
- ask
- ask sb in
- ask sb out
- call
- call sb in
- call sb out
- call-out
- convene
- invite
- invite sb in
- invite sb over
- invitee
- recall
- send
- send for sb
- summon
- summons
invitation noun (ENCOURAGEMENT)
C2 [ S ] an action that causes or encourages something to happen:
Leaving your house unlocked is an open (= clear) invitation to burglars.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Encouraging and urging on
- abet
- barrack for sb
- bring
- bring sb out
- buddy
- cheer
- chin
- egg
- get in there! idiom
- get out of here! idiom
- good/great/lovely stuff! idiom
- goose
- hide your light under a bushel idiom
- mentor
- prepare
- prepare the ground idiom
- prod
- promote
- promotion
- shoulder
See more results »
invitation noun (FORMAL REQUEST)
[ C ] an occasion when someone is formally asked to do something:
[ + to infinitive ] This is a once in a lifetime invitation to invest in your dream home in the sun.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Inviting & summoning
- ask
- ask sb in
- ask sb out
- call
- call sb in
- call sb out
- call-out
- convene
- invite
- invite sb in
- invite sb over
- invitee
- recall
- send
- send for sb
- summon
- summons
invitation noun (PIECE OF PAPER)
a piece of paper or card that invites someone to an event:
I need to order the wedding invitations.