rapt

adjective

ˈrapt 

1

: lifted up and carried away

2

: transported with emotion : enraptured

3

: wholly absorbed : engrossed

raptly

ˈrap(t)-lē 

adverb

raptness

ˈrap(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• ecstatic
• elated
• elevated
• enrapt
• enraptured
• entranced
• euphoric
• exhilarated
• giddy
• heady
• intoxicated
• rapturous
• rhapsodic
• rhapsodical

Examples of rapt in a Sentence

The students listened with rapt attention.

The children sat rapt as the puppets danced.

Recent Examples on the Web

The historic event is currently being broadcast on CBS, and Vulture bloggers are rapt. —Morgan Baila, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025

Of the blurred sea of rapt adult faces, her parents’ and Cassidy’s and Charlotte’s among them, Brianna remembers nothing at all. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

With a stop at the Time 100 Summit, Meghan spoke to a rapt audience in a breezy tan Ralph Lauren suit just in time for the city's springtime thaw. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

Also, anyone keenly interested in this topic is certainly encouraged to read the full study since there are lots of fascinating details that are worthy of rapt attention. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "carried off (of a soul to heaven)," borrowed from Latin raptus, past participle of rapere "to seize and carry off, take away by force, carry or sweep along" (Medieval Latin also "to carry away [a soul to heaven]") — more at rapid entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rapt

• apt
• capped
• chapped
• chapt
• clapped
• flapped
• gapped
• lapped
• mapped
• napped
• rapped
• sapped

Kids Definition

rapt

adjective

ˈrapt 

: showing complete delight or interest

listened with rapt attention

raptly

ˈrap-(t)lē 

adverb

raptness

ˈrap(t)-nəs 

noun