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”; cf. 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

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