Added 3 October 2026

involve

/ɪnˈvɒlv/ verb

Latin root: involvere Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about involve at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To have (something) as a component or a related part; to comprise, to include.
My job involves forecasting economic trends.
To include (something) as a logical or natural, or necessary component, or consequence or effect of something else; to entail, to imply.
To cause or engage (someone or something) to become connected or implicated, or to participate, in some activity or situation.
By involving herself in her local community, Mary met lots of people and also helped make it a nicer place to live.

PIE word *h₁én From Late Middle English involven (“to cloud; to encumber; to envelop, surround; to ponder (something); (reflexive) to concern (oneself) with something”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French involver, envoudre, or from its etymon Latin involvere, the present active infinitive of Latin involvō (“to roll to or upon something; to roll about; to coil or curl up; to cover; to envelop, wrap up; to overwhelm”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’) + volvō (“to roll; to tumble”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *welH- (“to turn; to wind (turn coils)”)).