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 size of the Texas affordability problem has captured the rapt attention of a wide array of entities, from architectural firms to nonprofit low-income housing developers, development consultant firms and others. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Has there ever been a show so massive and communal, that would have people rapt at the watercooler and on Reddit threads discussing red weddings, epic (and expensive) battle scenes, and winter, finally, coming? —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025

If Musk’s Fort Knox livestream does happen, the world will watch in rapt attention. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

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

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