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

Since 1962, luminaries including Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal have recited the Bard’s words in the open-air venue for a rapt audience experiencing a beloved warm-weather tradition. —Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025

The film’s imagery of water is at once rapt and concrete. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025

The people in her vicinity, the lights overhead, the bones of the building itself — all rapt with keen attention when her booming voice echoes through the air, commanding attention as wide as the space stretches or as intimately pointed as whatever wise words slip off her thespian tongue. —EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025

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