rapport

noun

rap·​port ra-ˈpȯr 

rə-

plural rapports

: a friendly, harmonious relationship characterized especially by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy

The team has a good/great/strong rapport.

the easy rapport of old friends

the personal rapport between the two leaders

There is a lack of rapport among the members of the group.

How do you establish a rapport with people you're interviewing under challenging conditions?

—Tessa Stuart

Strangers are building rapport through the back-and-forth of letters.

—David Blank

Did you know?

The word rapport bears a resemblance to a more common English word, report, which is no coincidence: both words come ultimately from the Latin verb portare, meaning "to carry," and both traveled through French words meaning "to bring back" on their way to English. Report has been in use since the 14th century, when it entered Middle English by way of Anglo-French. Rapport was first used in the mid-15th century as a synonym of report in its "account or statement" meaning, but that meaning had become obsolete by the mid-19th century. It wasn't until the early 20th century that English speakers borrowed rapport back from French in the meaning of "a friendly, harmonious relationship." We're happy to report that rapport has since flourished, and we trust this friendly word will stick around a while.

Synonyms of rapport

• friendship
• solidarity
• communion
• rapprochement
• empathy

Examples of rapport in a Sentence

The name "horse whisperer" appears to be an ancient one from the British Isles, given to people whose rapport with horses seemed almost mystical. —Paul Trachtman, Smithsonian, May 1998

… is said to have established an unusual rapport with the Afghan officers through demonstrating his respect for their traditions and way of life. —Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993

Moreover, I shall … be arguing that the strength of even the more formal Southern writers stems from their knowledge of and rapport with the language spoken by the unlettered. —Cleanth Brooks, The Language of the American South, 1985

He quickly developed a good rapport with the other teachers.

She works hard to build rapport with her patients.

There is a lack of rapport between the members of the group.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the suggestion of vice president of player personnel Joe Connelly, Bubes took Beringer, Zikarsky, Freeman and Zyon Pullin out to dinner before the trip to Vegas to develop more of a rapport with them. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Kane and Bellingham, for their part, initially struggled to establish an on-field rapport. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 14 July 2026

Teams to watch could be the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs, or even a Buffalo Bills reunion with Josh Allen, who built such a rapport with him to earn four straight Pro Bowls from 2020-23. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

Pulisic has good rapport with striker Folarin Balogun, who plays his club ball at France’s AS Manaco and had two goals against Paraguay. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from rapporter to bring back, refer, from Old French raporter to bring back, from re- + aporter to bring, from Latin apportare, from ad- ad- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rapport

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

rapport

noun

rap·​port ra-ˈpō(ə)r 

-ˈpȯ(ə)r

: a friendly relationship

Medical Definition

rapport

noun

rap·​port ra-ˈpȯ(ə)r, rə- 

: harmonious accord or relation that fosters cooperation, communication, or trust

rapport between a patient and psychotherapist