rapt

[ rapt ]

adjective

1. deeply engrossed or absorbed:

   a rapt listener.

2. transported with emotion; enraptured:

   rapt with joy.

   Synonyms: bewitched, spellbound, ecstatic

3. showing or proceeding from rapture:

   a rapt smile.

4. carried off spiritually to another place, sphere of existence, etc.

rapt

¹

/ ræpt /

adjective

1. totally absorbed; engrossed; spellbound, esp through or as if through emotion

   rapt with wonder

2. characterized by or proceeding from rapture

   a rapt smile

rapt

²

/ ræpt /

adjective

1. informal.
   Alsowrapped very pleased: delighted

Derived Forms

• ˈraptly, adverb

Other Words From

• rapt·ly adverb
• rapt·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapt¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English, past participle of rapen “to carry off, abduct, rape,” from Latin raptus “seized, carried off,” past participle of rapere

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapt¹

C14: from Latin raptus carried away, from rapere to seize; see rape ¹

Example Sentences

We listened in rapt, reverential awe, cozied by Vienna’s velvet strings, velvet winds and velvet brass woven together in a perfect tapestry of lush sonic textures and instrumental colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Aramin, who also wears his hair cut short and has huge brown eyes, spoke next, telling the rapt audience that he was only 13 when his sister died.

From Salon

Bragging that she’d mingled with Il Duce’s fascist forces, she tells her rapt students that on the occasion, “I wore my silk dress with red poppies, which is right for my coloring.”

From Salon

Some 900 attendees stare, rapt, as the daredevils loop and arc on their bikes, the wheels illuminated.

From Los Angeles Times

When Porkalob is singing, however, the audience is too rapt to worry about a full narrative accounting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delighted
• ecstatic
• enthralled
• inattentive
• rapturous
• spellbound