1
: lifted up and carried away
2
: transported with emotion : enraptured
3
: wholly absorbed : engrossed
raptly adverb
raptness noun

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 duo often strike fun poses in matching outfits on red carpets; and, with twin-flame energy, they were seen gazing in rapt attention as Simone Biles led the USA Gymnastics Women’s Senior National Team to victory in Paris. Danyel Smith, Essence, 16 Oct. 2024 In the fall of 2004, audiences watched with rapt attention as Dr. Jack Shephard (played by Matthew Fox), wanted fugitive Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly), and 69 other survivors of a plane crash stumbled around a mysterious island trying to make sense of what had just happened. Rebecca Bodenheimer, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024 There, during his own awards dinner, Oates sat in rapt attention as artists like Molly Tuttle, Sam Bush, A.J. Croce, Bekka Bramlett, and Wendy Moten put their own spin on Hall & Oates hits and Oates’ solo material. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024 The rapt attention of us lucky passengers reminds me of kindergarteners sitting at the foot of a librarian who animatedly reads to them from a picture book, pointing to the illustrations while turning the pages. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rapt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rapt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rapt was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rapt

Cite this Entry

“Rapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapt. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rapt

adjective
: showing complete delight or interest
listened with rapt attention
raptly adverb
raptness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rapt

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