invitation
gb/ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 7300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
request to attend or join
Words, in speech or writing, that ask someone to come to an event or to do something with you.
Usage pattern:
an invitation to [event/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "invitation" with the verb "invite" and say *"Thanks for invite"* instead of "Thanks for the invitation" or "Thanks for inviting me." Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is usually "an invitation to a party" or "an invitation to do something," not *"invitation for a party"* in standard written English, though "for" is sometimes heard in speech.
Synonyms
request (More general and not limited to social events or visits.)
|
invite (Informal noun; more often used as a verb than as a noun.)
Antonyms
refusal (Shows that someone says no instead of asking you to join.)
Collocations
accept an invitation
|decline an invitation
|extend an invitation
|receive an invitation
|an invitation to a party
Themes
daily life
|social life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I got an invitation to speak at the conference next month.
- Thank you for the invitation to stay with you over the holidays.
- They sent us an invitation to join their new project.
- We decided to accept their invitation to dinner on Friday.
- His invitation to visit Australia was very kind, but we had to decline.
Learner examples
- I received an invitation to her birthday party.
- Thank you for your invitation to dinner.
- We accepted their invitation to play soccer with them.
- She sent an invitation to all her friends.
- He declined the invitation because he was busy.
unknown
B1
entity
2
card or message inviting someone
A card, letter, or email that tells you that you are invited to something.
Usage pattern:
send [someone] an invitation
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think an invitation is the same as a ticket. An invitation asks you to come but does not always guarantee entry, while a ticket usually allows you to enter because you have paid or reserved a place.
Synonyms
card (Less specific; can be for many purposes, not just to invite someone.)
|
notice (More general and often used for information or warnings, not just social events.)
Antonyms
ticket (Not a true opposite, but often confused; a ticket usually proves you have paid or have a right to enter, while an invitation is a request to come, often without payment.)
Collocations
wedding invitation
|formal invitation
|print invitations
|email invitations
|design an invitation
Themes
daily life
|social life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The wedding invitations are already printed and ready to send.
- I never received the invitation, so I didn’t know about the ceremony.
- Her name was written in gold on the invitation.
- The invitation says the dress code is formal.
- They designed a colorful online invitation for the event.
Learner examples
- I got a wedding invitation in the mail.
- The invitation was on a blue card.
- He showed me the invitation on his phone.
- We need to send the invitations this week.
- I lost the invitation and forgot the time of the party.
Noun
C1
state
3
situation encouraging something to happen
A situation that almost asks for something to happen, usually something bad.
Usage pattern:
an invitation to [bad result/problem]
Synonyms
encouragement (General word for support; does not always suggest risk or something bad.)
|
temptation (Focuses more on a strong desire rather than on an unsafe situation itself.)
Antonyms
deterrent (Something that stops or discourages something from happening, especially something bad.)
Collocations
open invitation to thieves
|an invitation to disaster
|an invitation to trouble
Themes
safety
|daily life
|risk
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Leaving your car unlocked is an open invitation to thieves.
- Storing chemicals next to a heat source is an invitation to disaster.
- The lack of security cameras is basically an invitation to trouble.
- Publishing your home address online can be an invitation to unwanted attention.
- Loose cables across the floor are an invitation to accidents.
Learner examples
- An unlocked door is an open invitation to thieves.
- Wet floors are an invitation to accidents.
- Speeding on icy roads is an invitation to disaster.
- Poor lighting in the street is an invitation to crime.
- Weak passwords are an invitation to hackers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invitation
IPA
GB/ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - vit - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: invitation
- Plural: invitation, invitations
Word family
Forms
invitations
noun
Core family
invite
verb A2
Related words
inviting
adjective
invitee
noun
Negative and opposite forms
uninvited
adjective
uninviting
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
by invitation only
1/bˈaɪ ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
restricted to invited people
Used to say that only people with an invitation can go to an event or place.
Examples
- The opening night of the exhibition is by invitation only.
- This reception is by invitation only, so you must show your card at the door.
- The ceremony was by invitation only and closed to the public.
invitation only
1/ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
for invited guests only
Used to say that only invited people can go to an event or place.
Examples
- The party is invitation only, so you can’t just show up.
- Attendance at the ceremony is invitation only this year.
- It’s an invitation-only event for long-term clients.
issue an invitation
1/ˈɪʃu ən ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
officially send an invitation
To officially send or give an invitation to someone or to many people.
Examples
- The company issued an invitation to all employees to join the town-hall meeting.
- The embassy has issued invitations to the national day celebration.
- They plan to issue invitations next week once the date is confirmed.
open invitation
1/ˈoʊpən ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
standing offer to join
An offer that you can accept at any time, or that any person in a group can accept.
Examples
- My house is an open invitation to friends who need a place to stay.
- Consider this an open invitation to visit us whenever you are in town.
- Posting your schedule online can be an open invitation to unwanted visitors.
take something as an invitation
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈæz ən ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
interpret as permission to act
To understand what someone does or says as a sign that you may do something.
Examples
- He took her smile as an invitation to sit down and talk.
- Don’t take my silence as an invitation to change all the plans.
- They took the open door as an invitation to walk in.
extend an invitation
1/ɪkstˈɛnd ən ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
formally offer to invite
To formally ask someone to come to an event or to do something with you.
Examples
- We would like to extend an invitation to all our partners to attend the meeting.
- The university extended an invitation to her to give a guest lecture.
- On behalf of the committee, I extend an invitation to you and your family.
extend an invitation
2/ɪkstˈɛnd ən ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Formally ask to attend event/activity
To ask someone in a formal way to come to an event.
Examples
- We would like to extend an invitation to our annual gala.
- They extended an invitation for us to join them at dinner.