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 • Aug. 23, 2024
The jury then listened raptly as former Daniels attorney Keith Davidson described how annoying he found the man from their very first interaction in 2011.
From Slate • May 14, 2024
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 • Apr. 20, 2023
Clutching a bag of gummy bears and other mushy treats made of 1,000 percent sugar, Lizzie watched raptly, her feet tucked into a pair of mary janes.
From Washington Post • Nov. 4, 2022
I listened to this raptly, amazed by what it suggested about the man’s mental state.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
