RSVP

American  

[ahr-es-vee-pee] / ˈɑrˈɛsˈviˈpi /

Or R.S.V.P.

verb (used without object)

RSVPed, RSVP'd, RSVPing, RSVP'ing

1. to reply to an invitation.

   Don't forget to RSVP before Thursday.

---

noun

plural

RSVP's

1. a reply to an invitation.

   He sent a lovely bouquet of flowers with his RSVP.

2. (used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested.)

RSVP British  

abbreviation

1. répondez s'il vous plaît

---

R.S.V.P. Cultural  

1. Please reply or answer. From the French, “répondez s'il vous plaît,” meaning “respond if you please.”

---

Etymology

Origin of RSVP

First recorded in 1895–1900; from French r(épondez) s('il) v(ous) p(laît), “please reply”; respond ( def. ), rendezvous, please

Example Sentences

Our mistakes make us human, but admitting them brings us together, and in Ahn’s take on “The Wedding Banquet,” all imperfect parties are welcome to RSVP.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Individual events have limited space, so participation requires an RSVP.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2024

If I wanted your boyfriend at my wedding, I would have asked you for his name or left a blank space for his RSVP.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2023

To learn more or RSVP, join the group page on Meetup.com.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2023

“I searched through the list of people who RSVP’d yes, but people, like yours truly, often don’t RSVP, so I have hope.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera