You want to make your words more interesting and clear, especially when you ask someone to come to an event or join you. Using the best synonyms for “invite” can help you do just that! Words like ask, call, request, or welcome add flavor and fit different situations perfectly. This article will show you 31 simple, easy-to-understand alternatives to “invite” with clear examples to help you express yourself better.
1. Ask
When you want someone to join or come over, you can simply ask them. Asking is the most common way to invite someone politely. For example, you might say, “Can I ask you to come to my party?” It means you are giving them a chance to say yes or no. Asking shows respect because it lets the person choose if they want to join or not. It’s easy and friendly and works well in almost any situation where you want someone’s company.
2. Call
To call someone means to reach out and ask them to come somewhere. For example, “I will call my friends to join the meeting.” Calling can also mean inviting people by phone or message. It is a direct way to make sure they know you want them there. Sometimes people say, “I called everyone for dinner,” meaning they told or invited everyone to come. It is a clear way to ask someone to be part of something.
3. Summon
Summon is a stronger word than ask or call. It means to officially or seriously ask someone to come, often with importance or authority. For example, “The manager summoned the team for an urgent meeting.” It is not casual but shows that the person needs to be present. This word fits well in formal situations where attendance is very important, like in work or official events.
4. Request
When you request someone to come, you are politely asking for their presence or help. For example, “We request all guests to arrive on time.” It sounds formal and respectful. People often use request in invitations for weddings, meetings, or special events. It shows that you want the person to come but in a very polite way. Request works well when you want to sound serious and kind at the same time.
5. Welcome
To welcome someone is not just to invite but also to make them feel happy and accepted when they come. For example, “We welcome all new students to join the orientation.” It means you invite people warmly and want them to feel comfortable. This word is often used when guests or new members join a group or place. Welcome carries a feeling of kindness and friendliness with the invitation.
6. Bid
The word bid is an old-fashioned way to invite or ask someone to do something. For example, “He bid his friends to stay for dinner.” It is not commonly used in everyday talk but can be found in writing or formal speech. It means you ask or invite politely and sometimes with respect. Bid gives a nice, classic feel to the invitation and fits well in stories or formal letters.
7. Solicit
When you solicit someone, you are asking for help, support, or participation, often in a serious or business way. For example, “The charity solicited donations for their cause.” It means inviting people to give or join something important. This word is used more in business, charity, or formal requests than in casual talk. Soliciting is like inviting but with a goal or need behind it.
8. Propose
To propose means to suggest an idea or invite someone to do something, often in a formal or polite way. For example, “She proposed a meeting with the new clients.” It shows that you are offering or inviting an idea or plan to others. Propose can be used in work, social, or formal settings. It is a nice way to invite someone without directly telling them to come.
9. Encourage
When you encourage someone, you give them hope or confidence to join or take part in something. For example, “The teacher encouraged all students to participate in the competition.” Encouraging is a soft way of inviting by showing support and excitement. It is kind and helps people feel more willing to join. Encouragement is powerful because it makes the invitation more positive and friendly.
10. Entice
To entice someone means to attract or invite them by offering something exciting or interesting. For example, “The colorful decorations enticed guests to enter the party.” It means you are inviting in a way that makes people want to come because of a good reason. Entice is great when you want to show that the invitation is fun or special. It adds a little magic to your words.
11. Tempt
Tempt is similar to entice but focuses more on making something look very attractive or hard to resist. For example, “The free gifts tempted many people to attend the event.” It means you invite someone by showing something they really want or like. Tempting invitations are often used in marketing or social events where you want to catch attention. It feels playful and inviting.
12. Allure
To allure someone is to invite by attracting them in a very charming or beautiful way. For example, “The garden’s beauty allured visitors to stay longer.” It is a gentle and elegant way to invite. Allure is often used to describe places or experiences that naturally attract people. It’s an invitation that feels special and graceful.
13. Attract
When you attract someone, you invite their attention or interest naturally. For example, “The bright lights attracted many guests to the festival.” Attract is less about words and more about drawing people in with something appealing. It can be used for events, places, or ideas. Attract means the invitation is built into the appeal itself.
14. Beckon
To beckon means to invite someone with a small movement or signal, usually with the hand or a look. For example, “She beckoned her friends to come closer.” It’s a soft, quiet way of inviting. Beckoning can be personal and direct, making the person feel chosen. It’s perfect for casual or private invitations.
15. Call for
The phrase call for means to invite or require someone to come or do something. For example, “The situation called for all team members to meet immediately.” It means the need or event is asking for people’s presence. Call for is often used in serious or urgent invitations where everyone’s attendance is important.
16. Offer
To offer an invitation means you are giving someone the chance to join or take part in something. For example, “They offered seats to all guests at the ceremony.” Offering is polite and shows that the person can accept or decline. It feels generous and welcoming, making the invitation warm and open.
17. Extend (an invitation)
To extend an invitation means to formally invite someone to an event or occasion. For example, “The host extended an invitation to all neighbors.” It is a respectful and official way to say that someone is invited. Extending sounds professional and polite, often used in letters or announcements.
18. Appeal to
When you appeal to someone, you invite or ask them by making a strong request or showing that their help or presence is important. For example, “The charity appealed to the community for support.” It means the invitation is serious and emotional, often used to get help or attention.
19. Engage
To engage someone means to invite their participation or attention actively. For example, “The speaker engaged the audience with interesting questions.” Engaging is about making people want to join in and be involved. It’s an invitation to be part of something lively or important.
20. Muster
To muster means to gather or call people together, often for a group or meeting. For example, “The captain mustered the soldiers for a briefing.” Muster is a strong invitation that asks people to come as a team. It is often used in military or organized group settings.
21. Call upon
When you call upon someone, you formally ask or invite them to take part or help. For example, “The teacher called upon the students to answer the question.” It is a polite and sometimes official way to invite or request. It shows respect and expectation.
22. Convene
To convene means to bring people together for a meeting or event. For example, “The board convened to discuss the new policy.” It is a formal invitation for a group to meet. Convening is often used in business, politics, or official events where gathering is planned.
23. Rally
To rally means to bring people together to support or join a cause or event. For example, “The leader rallied the crowd for the charity march.” Rally is a powerful invitation that encourages group participation and energy. It feels motivating and urgent.
24. Gather
To gather means to invite or bring people together in one place. For example, “We gathered our friends for a barbecue.” It is a casual and friendly way to invite people to join. Gathering creates a warm feeling of community and togetherness.
25. Reach out
To reach out means to invite or contact someone with kindness or help. For example, “She reached out to old classmates for a reunion.” It is a gentle way of inviting that shows care and connection. Reaching out is personal and friendly.
26. Suggest
When you suggest someone to join, you offer an idea or option for them to consider. For example, “He suggested we meet for coffee this weekend.” It is a soft and polite invitation that lets the person decide. Suggesting is casual and thoughtful.
27. Implore
To implore means to ask someone earnestly and strongly to come or help. For example, “She implored her family to attend the ceremony.” It is a very serious and emotional invitation. Imploring shows deep need or desire for the person’s presence.
28. Plead
To plead means to ask for something with strong emotion or urgency. For example, “He pleaded with his friends to stay for the meeting.” Pleading is an intense invitation where the person really wants others to come. It can show desperation or strong hope.
29. Petition
To petition means to formally ask or request help or participation, often in writing. For example, “The group petitioned the council for a community park.” It is a serious and official invitation to support or join a cause.
30. Ask over
To ask over means to invite someone to come to your home or a specific place. For example, “We asked our neighbors over for dinner.” It is a warm and friendly way to invite people into your personal space.
31. Draw in
To draw in means to attract or invite someone closer or to join. For example, “The music drew in the crowd to the festival.” It is a natural way to invite people with interest or appeal.
Final Thoughts
Using different words for “invite” can make your communication clearer, friendlier, and more interesting. Whether you want to ask casually or formally, there is a perfect synonym for every situation. These 31 options give you many ways to invite people warmly and clearly. Practice using them in your daily talks and writing to connect better with others.
