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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The students listened with rapt attention. The children sat rapt as the puppets danced.
Recent Examples on the Web In front of him stands a line of hundreds of fans, each one with rapt attention, each with a different expectation in mind of what a person like Hall should be or should do. 
Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Last Friday, the soft-spoken Mr. Räss told a rapt audience of cheesemongers his story. New York Times, 17 June 2022 A few miles east, Dan Umthun’s monthly comedy jam at Peace Tree Brewery has been consistently packed, giving a mix of old and new school comics a chance to work their bits in front of a rapt audience. Lee Keeler, SPIN, 10 May 2022 Pastor Charles Cooper is recounting the biblical woes of Joseph — betrayed, enslaved, accused of rape and wrongfully imprisoned — to a rapt audience on a Tuesday evening in Winter Garden. Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2022 At a moment of most fervent passion, Garland’s right eyebrow twitches, and that tremor—magnified by Minnelli’s rapt scrutiny—resounds visually like a crashing wave of uncontrollable desire. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 June 2022 But Tommy and Phil, as everyone with a front row seat or backstage pass knows them, are still outside venues from New York to Paris, as rapt as ever with the wardrobes of the fashion world. Steff Yotka, Vogue, 15 June 2022 Millions of people have been watching the trial with rapt attention. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022 Raw and diaristic in nature, Doja’s IG Lives and TikTok videos are portals into corners of her life, with rapt fans constantly trying to follow the bread crumbs. Marjon Carlos, ELLE, 25 May 2022 See More
Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 Last Friday, the soft-spoken Mr. Räss told a rapt audience of cheesemongers his story. New York Times, 17 June 2022 A few miles east, Dan Umthun’s monthly comedy jam at Peace Tree Brewery has been consistently packed, giving a mix of old and new school comics a chance to work their bits in front of a rapt audience. Lee Keeler, SPIN, 10 May 2022 Pastor Charles Cooper is recounting the biblical woes of Joseph — betrayed, enslaved, accused of rape and wrongfully imprisoned — to a rapt audience on a Tuesday evening in Winter Garden. Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2022 At a moment of most fervent passion, Garland’s right eyebrow twitches, and that tremor—magnified by Minnelli’s rapt scrutiny—resounds visually like a crashing wave of uncontrollable desire. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 June 2022 But Tommy and Phil, as everyone with a front row seat or backstage pass knows them, are still outside venues from New York to Paris, as rapt as ever with the wardrobes of the fashion world. Steff Yotka, Vogue, 15 June 2022 Millions of people have been watching the trial with rapt attention. Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2022 Raw and diaristic in nature, Doja’s IG Lives and TikTok videos are portals into corners of her life, with rapt fans constantly trying to follow the bread crumbs. Marjon Carlos, ELLE, 25 May 2022 See More 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
They listened with rapt attention.
raptness
noun
as in application
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- application
- intentness
- consideration
- consciousness
- awareness
- preoccupation
- obsession
- fixation
- regard
- alertness
- meditation
- contemplation
- heedfulness
- absorption
- concentration
- rumination
- musing
- pondering
- immersion
- engrossment
- attention
- enthrallment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- absence
- withdrawal
- inattention
- abstraction
- detachment
- remoteness
- indifference
- abstractedness
- unconsciousness
- distraction
- unawareness
- obliviousness
- disinterest
- confusion
- unconcern
- absentmindedness
- mindlessness
- bewilderment
- bemusement
- befuddlement