invest
gb/ɪnvˈɛst/ us/ɪnvˈɛst/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Put money or resources for profit/result
To use money, time, or effort for something that you hope will be successful or give you more later.
Usage pattern:
to invest [money/time/resources] in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'invest' with 'spend'. 'Spend' does not imply expecting a return, while 'invest' usually does.
Synonyms
spend (Focuses on using money, but without necessarily expecting a return.)
|
allocate (More formal; emphasizes assigning resources for a purpose.)
Antonyms
withdraw (Refers to taking money or resources out of an investment.)
|
waste (Using resources without getting value back.)
Collocations
invest heavily
|invest wisely
|invest in stocks
|invest in real estate
|invest time
Themes
business
|finance
|daily life
Examples
- She decided to invest in a new tech startup.
- We should invest more time in training our staff.
- He invested all his savings in property.
- Many people invest in the stock market for long-term growth.
Learner examples
- I want to invest my money in a bank.
- She invests her time in helping children.
- They invest in new machines for the factory.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
Give someone official power/role
To officially give someone a job, power, or responsibility.
Usage pattern:
to invest [someone] with [power/authority/role]
Synonyms
appoint (General term for giving someone a position; less ceremonial.)
|
empower (Focuses on giving someone the ability or right to do something.)
Antonyms
dismiss (To remove someone from an official position.)
Collocations
invest with authority
|invest with responsibility
Themes
government
|law
|business
Examples
- The president was invested with full powers during the crisis.
- He was invested as the new bishop in a grand ceremony.
- The committee invested her with the authority to negotiate.
Learner examples
- They invested him with the power to lead.
- She was invested as school principal.
- The king invested the knight with land and title.
Verb
C2
action
3
Cover or surround completely
To cover or go all around something.
Synonyms
surround (General term for being all around something.)
Antonyms
expose (To leave something uncovered or unprotected.)
Collocations
invest a city
Themes
military
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The army invested the fortress before dawn.
- The town was invested by enemy forces for two weeks.
- They invested the island, cutting off all supplies.
Learner examples
- The soldiers invested the city.
- The army invested the castle.
- The enemy invested the town for many days.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invest
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈɛst/
US/ɪnvˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
in - vest (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vest)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: invest
- 3rd Person Singular: invests
- Present Participle: investing
- Past: invested
Word family
Forms
invests
verb
investing
verb
invested
verb
Core family
investment
noun B1
investor
noun B1
Related words
reinvest
verb
reinvestment
noun
Advanced or less common
divest
verb C1
divestment
noun C1
Expressions
invest heavily in
1/ɪnvˈɛst hˈɛvɪli ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Commit large resources for gain
To put a lot of money, time, or effort into something you hope will be successful.
Examples
- The company is investing heavily in research and development.
- They have invested heavily in their children's education.
invest in
1/ɪnvˈɛst ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Put money/time into for future gain
To use your money, time, or energy for something you hope will be successful later.
Examples
- We plan to invest in renewable energy projects.
- You should invest in good shoes if you walk a lot.
invest with authority
1/ɪnvˈɛst wˈɪθ əθˈɔɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
Give someone official power/rights
To officially give someone power or rights to do something.
Examples
- The board invested her with authority to sign contracts.
- He was invested with authority over the department.