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.

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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

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R.S.V.P. Cultural  

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

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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

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

Visit maritime.highlineschools.org and click on the school’s calendar to learn more and to RSVP.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2021

“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