What does RSVP stand for?
| Full form | Répondez s’il vous plaît |
|---|---|
| Category | Communication & everyday language |
| Type | Initialism |
The initialism RSVP stands for Répondez s’il vous plaît. It refers to a French phrase meaning please reply, used to request a response to an invitation.
This guide covers RSVP on invitations. The French expansion supplies the meaning, but a usable invitation should also say how and by when the guest should respond.
Meaning in context
- Répondez
- The response part of the request. In an English invitation, please reply gives the practical meaning.
- S’il vous plaît
- The politeness phrase in the French expansion. It is not a separate deadline or method of replying.
- The invitation
- RSVP tells the reader that a response is requested; the organizer still needs to provide a response channel and deadline.
Practical examples
Ask for a response
- Before
RSVP.
- After
RSVP by 5 November using the reply form linked in this invitation.
The response request is actionable: it names when and how, without inventing a live form.
Reply to an invitation
- Before
RSVP received.
- After
Thank you for the invitation. I can attend the event.
Acknowledging a request does not necessarily answer the attendance question; the revision does.
Request useful details
- Before
RSVP with details.
- After
Please reply by 5 November and confirm how many invited guests will attend.
The guest knows what information the organizer needs instead of having to interpret details.
Original illustrative examples, not quotations or reports of actual events.
Use the meaning clearly
Does the guest know exactly how to reply and what response you need?
See all guidance
Ask for a response
Provide both a deadline and a usable response channel.
RSVP by 5 November using the reply form linked in this invitation.
Reply to an invitation
State whether you can attend instead of sending an unexplained acknowledgement.
Thank you for the invitation. I can attend the event.
Request useful details
If you need a headcount or other details, state that request explicitly.
Please reply by 5 November and confirm how many invited guests will attend.
A reply request should say when and how to respond. The tool prepares wording for you to copy into your invitation.
Help improve this entry
Spot a mistake or have a clearer example? Suggest a change.
By AcronymIndex Editorial Team · Editorial policy