RSVP

Or R.S.V.P.

[ahr-es-vee-pee]

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

abbreviation

1. répondez s'il vous plaît

R.S.V.P.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of RSVP¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of RSVP¹

French: please reply

Example Sentences

And yet, as the Guardian puts it in an official-sounding way, backing out of a party after someone else has RSVP’d on your behalf is, simply put, very awkward:

From Slate

Imagine planning a wedding a year ahead of time but suddenly being told you have to buy all of your food, flowers, and garments in the next two months, before guests have even RSVP’d—and you have to store all of the materials up until the big day.

From Slate

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

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

More than 500,000 people nationwide have RSVP’d to attend one of the 1,200 protests in all 50 states, an effort organized by Hands Off!,

From Los Angeles Times