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

Director Max Winkler worked closely with the two actors to create a rapport that could inform their face-offs, which operate on rage and fear. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 6 June 2026

After accepting the role, Abdul-Mateen extended an overture to build a rapport offscreen in service of their onscreen relationship, but much to his surprise, Kingsley rebuffed the offer. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

The star wide receiver, acquired in March from Miami, will likely have to wait a bit longer to start building rapport with his starting quarterback, but his impact is sure to be felt right away in the receiver room. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

Nonetheless, both men say their rapport is solid. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 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

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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