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
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 ● Dec. 24, 2022
Every day I listened raptly to customers who felt like talking, and it all added to my education.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
