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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meteorologist Alexandra Holley held a giant weather balloon and the rapt attention of a group of youngsters. Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 17 July 2025 Throughout her remarks, Brown Jackson emphasized the value of speech and debate, clerkships and networking to the rapt audience. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, IndyStar, 11 July 2025 On a recent visit, a rapt audience took in the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger epic, Total Recall. Jordan Michelman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 July 2025 The case out of suburban Boston became a trial that people around the nation followed with rapt attention. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rapt

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

Cite this Entry

“Rapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapt. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rapt

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rapt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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