Which accent is commonly abbreviated RP in discussions of British English?

The accent commonly abbreviated RP in discussions of British English is Received Pronunciation. RP is a pronunciation variety rather than a complete dialect: it concerns speech sounds, not a special vocabulary, grammar, or writing system.

The accent became associated with educated and socially prestigious speech in England, especially through public schools, Oxford and Cambridge, and national broadcasting. Phonetician Daniel Jones used the term in the second edition of his English Pronouncing Dictionary in 1926, although similar wording appeared earlier. The BBC adopted RP as a broadcasting standard in 1922.

RP is often described as non-regional, but that label is debated. Historically it was strongly connected with southern England and particular social institutions. Modern British pronunciation has changed, and terms such as Standard Southern British or General British are sometimes preferred for newer, broader varieties.

Another common mistake is assuming RP means “the British accent.” Britain has many regional accents, and RP has never been spoken by all Britons. It is also traditionally non-rhotic, meaning the /r/ in words such as “car” is generally not pronounced unless a following vowel triggers it.