# invitation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ · frequency rank #5,700

## Definitions
1. The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of a person's company.
2. A document or verbal message conveying an invitation.
3. Allurement; enticement.
4. A line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack.
5. The brief exhortation introducing the confession in the Anglican communion-office.
6. A bid that tells one's partner that game or slam is likely if their hand is at the strong end of what they have indicated.

## Etymology
From Middle English invitacioun, ynvytacioun, from Latin invītātio, reinforced by Middle French invitation. By surface analysis, invite + -ation. Displaced native Middle English lathinge from Old English laþung (see dialectal English lathing).

## Easily confused with
- **irritation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/invitation-vs-irritation)
- **invocation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/invitation-vs-invocation)
- **invitational** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/invitation-vs-invitational)
- **imitation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/imitation-vs-invitation)
- **indication** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/indication-vs-invitation)
- **initiation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/initiation-vs-invitation)

## Common misspellings (15)
`inivtation`, `innvitation`, `inviattion`, `invitaiton`, `invitasion`, `invitatino`, `invitationn`, `invitatoin`, `invitattion`, `invittaion`, `invittation`, `invtiation`, `invvitation`, `ivnitation`, `nivitation`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/invitation