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The word rapport bears a resemblance to a more common English word, report, which is no coincidence: both words come ultimately from the Latin verb portare, meaning "to carry," and both traveled through French words meaning "to bring back" on their way to English. Report has been in use since the 14th century, when it entered Middle English by way of Anglo-French. Rapport was first used in the mid-15th century as a synonym of report in its "account or statement" meaning, but that meaning had become obsolete by the mid-19th century. It wasn't until the early 20th century that English speakers borrowed rapport back from French in the meaning of "a friendly, harmonious relationship." We're happy to report that rapport has since flourished, and we trust this friendly word will stick around a while.
Examples of rapport in a Sentence
Paul Trachtman, Smithsonian, May 1998
… is said to have established an unusual rapport with the Afghan officers through demonstrating his respect for their traditions and way of life.
—Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993
Moreover, I shall … be arguing that the strength of even the more formal Southern writers stems from their knowledge of and rapport with the language spoken by the unlettered.
—Cleanth Brooks, The Language of the American South, 1985
He quickly developed a good rapport with the other teachers.
She works hard to build rapport with her patients.
There is a lack of rapport between the members of the group.
Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
The 5-foot-11 point guard has an easy rapport and chemistry with the other players.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
Their seamless artistic rapport and passionate interpretations promise a truly captivating concert experience, according toa news release.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
The operation is the US’s latest attempt to crack down on scammers who use SMS texts, social media, and the internet to build rapport with unsuspecting users and trick them into investing in fake cryptocurrency.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 13 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Rapport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapport. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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