invitation/͵Invəˋteʃən; ˌInvəˈteIʃ$n or ˌInvIˈteIʃ$n/n 1 [C,U] a written or spoken request that invites someone to do something〔书面或口头的〕邀请: +to I’ve had an invitation to John's party. 我受到参加约翰的派对的邀请。invitation to do sth He accepted an invitation to speak at the conference. 他接受了在大会上发言的邀请。Entry is by invitation only (=only people who have been invited can go). 凭请柬方可入场。He visited the country at the invitation of the President. 他应总统邀请访问了该国。COLLOCATIONS 词语搭配party/wedding/dinner etc invitation 聚会/婚礼/晚餐等邀请send out invitations – to send them to a number of people 发出邀请get/receive an invitation 接到/收到邀请accept an invitation – to say yes 接受邀请turn down/refuse an invitation – to say no 拒绝邀请 2 [singular 单数] a situation that encourages something else to happen, especially something unpleasant〔尤对不愉快之事的〕怂恿﹐鼓动: +to An unlocked door is an open invitation to thieves. 门不上锁摆明了是让窃贼来偷。