Origin: Latin suffix -al
Invitational has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
An event, especially a tournament, that is restricted to invited participants
"The invitational tennis tournament featured only players who had been personally selected by the organizers."
In plain English: An invitational is an event where you are asked to come, but it isn't open to everyone who wants to join.
"He received an invitational to join the exclusive club for young entrepreneurs."
pertaining to or characteristic of an invitation
"The invitational speech at the conference was delivered by a guest speaker who had been personally asked to attend."
Serving as an invitation; inviting.
"The invitational speech given by the guest speaker was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience."
In plain English: Invitational means something that is designed to welcome people and encourage them to join in.
"The invitational tournament was open to players from all over the country."
Usage: The adjective form invitational specifically describes events or competitions open only by invitation and should not be confused with the more general term inviting. Use this word when emphasizing exclusivity rather than mere attractiveness.
The word invitational is formed by adding the suffix -al to the noun invitation. This construction indicates something that serves as an invitation or relates to being invited.