What does rendezvous mean?
A rendezvous is a prearranged meeting between people or groups, usually at a stated time and place. It can refer to the meeting itself, the appointment that brings it about, or the location where it is to take place: “The couriers used the park as a rendezvous.” The word is formal and carries a sense of planning and purpose, often involving secrecy, diplomacy, military coordination, or deliberate travel arrangements. As a verb, rendezvous means to meet at an agreed time and place, especially as a planned act. Although the expression can describe ordinary personal meetings, it is especially associated with official, covert, military, or operational contexts. Its unusual French origin and precise, formal tone make it more distinctive than the everyday words meeting or appointment, while retaining the same basic meaning.
An arranged meeting at a specified time and place, especially one planned in advance for a particular purpose.
"The intelligence officers established a rendezvous after midnight."
Formal; often used in military, diplomatic, business, or covert contexts.
To meet or assemble at an agreed time and place.
"The two groups rendezvous at the northern checkpoint."
Used for a planned meeting, particularly one involving people or vehicles arriving separately.
The plural is normally the same as the singular, following the French form.
"The agents held several rendezvous during the week."
From French for “refer one to another,” a rendezvous began as a sign telling someone where and when to come.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rendezvous come from?
The word comes from French rendez-vous, literally “refer one to another,” formed from rendre, “to give” or “to refer,” and vous, “you.” In French it originally referred to a place where someone was directed to meet another person, and English borrowed it in the late 18th century. The French plural is the same as the singular, and the English word follows that convention.
How rendezvous is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in military, diplomatic, travel, and business contexts. It can also refer to an arrangement to meet, as in “make a rendezvous.”
Easily confused with rendezvous
No distinct word is commonly confused with this headword because of spelling or sound; the main potential confusion is between its noun and verb uses.