RSVP
verb (used without object)
to reply to an invitation.
RSVP
American
[ahr-es-vee-pee]
/ ˈɑrˈɛsˈviˈpi /
Or
R.S.V.P.
verb (used without object)
RSVPed,
RSVP'd,
RSVPing,
RSVP'ing
noun
-
RSVP's
plural
-
a reply to an invitation.
He sent a lovely bouquet of flowers with his RSVP.
-
(used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested.)
RSVP
British
abbreviation
R.S.V.P.
Cultural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of RSVP
First recorded in 1895–1900; from French r(épondez) s('il) v(ous) p(laît), “please reply”; cf. respond ( def. ), rendezvous, please
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Where: The address will be shared upon submitting an online RSVP.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025
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
Done: The honest and kind way to bow out respectfully would be to RSVP: “I’m so sorry I can’t attend, please pass along my congratulations to the twins. Now — they are men!”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 25, 2022
For more information and to RSVP, visit the New America website, and read an excerpt from The United States of Anonymous here.
From Slate ● Mar. 26, 2022
A few weeks before the reunion, my dad called the number on the invitation to RSVP.
From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez
R.S.V.P. only if you’re ready for a completely different night at the movies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
R.S.V.P. to view the interview free of charge.
From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2022
I also believe that his mother’s concern about Omicron was well-placed and probably had nothing to do with your sister’s R.S.V.P.
From New York Times ● Jan. 6, 2022
Click here to R.S.V.P. to a virtual conversation about “Invisible Man,” to be led by Adam Bradley and held on June 17.
From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2021
Campbell: "You didn't put on R.S.V.P. after all I said?"
From A Likely Story by William Dean Howells
Unfortunately for my wallet, I’ve already RSVP’d “yes” to all these weddings — I’m just too fearful of missing out, or being judged for not going.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
The wealth manager invited a number of clients and prospects, but only one couple RSVP’d affirmatively—his cousin, a client, and her boyfriend, a wealthy local businessman whom Bodner considered a prospect, Rosen said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
Of those who RSVP’d to the tour, “at least half” aren’t members of the mammoth email bank the senator accumulated during his presidential bids, Sanders said.
From Slate ● Apr. 9, 2025
Of the 500-plus people who had RSVP’d for the L.A. event, about 200 showed up.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2024
“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
Would a simple phone call RSVP’ing ‘no’ been better?”
From Salon ● Feb. 18, 2014
According to Republican staffers, Ms. Cheney neither RSVPed to attend the event nor showed up at the last minute on Thursday.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 24, 2022
“But frankly, if a student shows up and hasn’t RSVPed, I don’t think we’re turning him or her away.”
From Washington Post ● Nov. 21, 2018
In preparing for last year’s march, organizers had posted a 42-question survey that supporters could fill out at the same time they RSVPed for a march.
From Science Magazine ● Apr. 9, 2018
Over 4,200 people RSVPed to the march, held on the busy third day of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in solidarity with the historic women’s marches taking place simultaneously across the globe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 21, 2017
One hundred thirty-five people had RSVPed online, and about half of them showed up.
From Slate ● Jul. 18, 2011
A few etiquette reminders: Start by RSVPing to the party in whatever way the host has asked you to, says Post.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2023
The problem was so chronic that parents made a weary joke of RSVPing to invitations with the acronym “I.W.C.G.A.S.”
From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2020
So many people ended up RSVPing that attendees were warned that — emergency! — parking would be scarce and the lines for the bar would be long.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 2, 2019
But if you don’t think you can trust her to keep it confidential, then I think your options are somewhat limited, because failing to show up after RSVPing “Yes” would be a pretty noticeable slight.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2019
Lock in your spot by RSVPing at concerts.levittlosangeles.org.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2019
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
