rapport
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rapport
First recorded in 1530–40; from French, derivative of rapporter “to bring back, report,” equivalent to r(e)- re- + apporter ( Old French aporter, from Latin apportāre, equivalent to ap- ap- 1 + portāre “to carry”; see port 5)
Explanation
Rapport is a good sense of understanding and trust. If you have good rapport with your neighbors, they won't mind if you kick your ball onto their property every now and then. If you have rapport with someone, you two communicate with trust and sympathy. The word is often used to mean good interaction between people in different positions or roles such as parent and teacher, teacher and student, doctor and patient, supervisor and worker, or speaker and audience. It is always important to establish rapport with people you come into contact with regularly. Pronounce this borrowed word from the French ra-POOR.
Vocabulary lists containing rapport
Grade 10, List 3
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The Hunger Games
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The Things They Carried
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also threw a party for the “Mike & Molly” cast to build rapport because he believed when everyone liked each other, it showed onscreen.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
Reasons to look for a new adviser include failure to listen, high fees, the adviser’s retirement, poor communication, disappointing performance, different values, ineffective advice and bad rapport, according to this survey by Financial Advisor Magazine.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
The new head coach will certainly look to build a strong relationship with fans - counting that rapport as important as results on the pitch.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
With his blooming warmth and engaging rapport with the audience, Mr. Jackman is a perfect interpreter of his character.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
She reached out and picked off a piece of lint from his hair, and then hit his head lightly Their fluid, bantering rapport made Ifemelu uncomfortable.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
