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

Seemingly the entire Spanish tennis community, along with a large international audience, watched the match in Malaga, Spain, utterly rapt, sometimes in tears. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Ruth, rapt, reads aloud from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024

Some 900 attendees stare, rapt, as the daredevils loop and arc on their bikes, the wheels illuminated. —Gina Ryder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

While inside the shows guests were rapt seeing looks from the likes of Burberry and Simone Rocha, outside, attendees served up their own delectable platter of print and color. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 17 Sep. 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