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:
SpareRoom’s speed roommating events are free with an RSVP, and each person receives two complimentary drinks along with a one month trial of SpareRoom premium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 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
But the Mariners are too engaged in their own misery to RSVP.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 25, 2023
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
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
Like many of the group’s events, all of the programs are free with an online R.S.V.P.
From New York Times ● May 9, 2023
Augusta, quintessentially Southern, asks the golfers to R.S.V.P. to the invitations, which it has sent since the tournament’s start in 1934.
From New York Times ● Apr. 5, 2022
Mr. Rafanelli noted that 20 percent of wedding guests decline invitations for health and business conflicts for weddings in general; it’s not frowned upon for you to mark “no” on the R.S.V.P. card.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2022
Yes, I do: for saying I oughtn't to have put on R.S.V.P.
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 junior editors were hosting one at his office the following week; 50 people had RSVP’d.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
Esveld said 70 people RSVP’d but already they think they have 100.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2025
When Arjuna Wedman, a professional fighter who plunges consistently, got the text invite about the ice bath speed dating event, he RSVP’d right away.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 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
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
“Registering for a rally only means you’ve RSVPed with a cell phone number. Every rally is general admission and entry is first-come-first served. But we thank them for their contact information.”
From Slate ● Jun. 21, 2020
“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
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.
