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 three of them go to see a kid’s theater performance by a man who puts on an elaborate, immersive bubble show, and Wood describes his skepticism about the act slowly transforming into rapt attention. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025

As years’ worth of disclosures and recriminations erupted into the open, the serene Jean-Baptiste held us close and rapt. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025

Mark Hamill made his pitch for the Harris-Walz ticket to a rapt audience. —Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024

Blakely regaled a rapt audience with hilarious tales from the early days of hustling and working tirelessly to see her dreams come to fruition. —Dana Feldman, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

rapt

adjective

ˈrapt 

: showing complete delight or interest

listened with rapt attention

raptly

ˈrap-(t)lē 

adverb

raptness

ˈrap(t)-nəs 

noun