rapt

Examples

• All

• The audience sat in rapt attention as the speaker shared her inspiring story.

• "I listened in rapt attention as these bits of gossip rolled off Mama's tongue."

  Fiction book (1994)

• Edward sat with rapt attention, listening to his son and expressing great pride in him.

  Academic text (2004)

• He seemed rapt, transported to another world.

  Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951)

• Listening to this, the people of Halloweenland are absolutely spellbound, rapt, and quiet for a change.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Koren listened with rapt attention, pointing her machine at Dad, recording his words.

  Fiction book (1998)

• The students participate eagerly, listen with rapt attention, and ask intriguing questions.

  Academic text (2005)

• Auel imagines our Ice Age forebears listening with rapt attention to everything from current gossip to ancient legend.

  Academic text (2002)

• Jan paused, noting that Sarah's face was rapt, her eyes sparkling in the light from the camp stove.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Edward Steichen recalled the "rapt attention" with which Guatemalan peasants gazed at his traveling exhibition.

  Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

I

intent

vsrapt

54 4.9

Giving full attention to something

is more about emotional fascination rather than mere concentration

S

spellbound

vsrapt

7 5.2

So interested that you cannot stop watching or listening

is similar but may be more natural fascination than magic like hold

E

enthralled

vsrapt

3 6.9

Very interested and full of wonder, unable to look away

is equally absorbed but with slightly less emotional charm

F

fascinated

vsrapt

1 2.1

Very interested and unable to stop paying attention

is similar but can refer more to calm attention than attraction

E

engrossed

vsrapt

1 4.5

Paying all your attention to something because you are very interested

is more emotionally charged rather than merely involved

E

entranced

vsrapt

1 5.8

Amazed and very happy so you cannot look away

is comparable but can include quieter, calm delight instead of amazement

H

hypnotized

vsrapt

• US

1 5.3

Your attention is fixed as if under a spell

is similar but usually lacks the sense of an induced trance

E

enrapt

vsrapt

• Literature

7.8

Feeling great joy and deep interest

is similar but shows strong focus without such overpowering joy

E

enraptured

vsrapt

• Literature

7.2

Full of great joy and wonder

is like this but can be less swept away by joy

C

captivated

vsrapt

3.9

Very interested and pleased so you cannot stop watching or listening

is closer to general absorption rather than mainly emotional pull

A

absorbed

vsrapt

3.6

Giving all your attention to something and not noticing other things

adds a stronger emotional delight component to that full focus

M

mesmerized

vsrapt

• US

6.0

Unable to look away because something is very interesting

is like this but without implying an artificial trance

T

transfixed

vsrapt

6.7

Unable to look away and to move because you feel very surprised or amazed

is comparable but generally involves active pleasure rather than immobility

B

beguiled

vsrapt

7.7

You feel charmed and full of wonder

is more about inner absorption than being charmed by someone

E

enwrapped

vsrapt

7.6

Deeply focused on something and not aware of other things

is similar but often emphasizes emotional delight more clearly

Antonyms

D

distracted

3.1

Not able to pay attention because your mind is on other things

How Absorbed

rapt

• Formal

11 7.5

fascinated

1 2.1

absorbed

3.6

engaged

3.4

interested

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology