raptly
Americanadverb
-
with the attention completely engaged; in a way that shows deep absorption in something.
It was a story of courage and hope that kept me reading raptly until the final page.
-
with intense joy or delight; blissfully; ecstatically.
It was a moment to meditate, look raptly at the night sky, and be overcome by the awesomeness of the universe.
Etymology
Origin of raptly
First recorded in 1640–50, for an earlier sense; rapt ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
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.
The big party stopped for a while and everyone listened raptly.
From Salon
Vanessa Ingalls listened raptly, taking notes in the “Secrets of a Successful Organizer” class, her young daughter, Hailey, on her lap.
From Los Angeles Times
They were learning the play by listening, raptly, to each other.
From New York Times
I couldn’t believe my attention was held so raptly by the story of 12th-century nuns, but I loved their community, their personalities, their ambitions especially.
From New York Times
Soon they’re as raptly absorbed in each other’s moves as we are in this uplifting musical.
From Washington Post
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.