raptly

[ rapt-lee ]

/ ˈræpt li /

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adverb

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of raptly

First recorded in 1640–50, for an earlier sense; rapt + -ly

Words nearby raptly

rapscallion, rap session, rap sheet, rap someone's knuckles, rapt, raptly, raptor, raptorial, rapture, raptured, rapture of the deep

How to use raptly in a sentence

On a summer day in 2013, Leila Strickland sat, rapt, in front of her laptop and watched on screen as Mark Post unveiled the first lab-grown hamburger.
Startups are racing to reproduce breast milk in the lab|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
A rooster can strike fear into an opponent, and a relative novice can hold the country rapt as it snags the spotlight for what likely won’t be the final time.
How Coastal Carolina Invaded The Top 15 (And Our Hearts)|Josh Planos|December 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Investors, employees, and the entire entertainment industry will be paying rapt attention.
All eyes are on HBO Max’s low subscriber numbers|Geoffrey Colvin|October 9, 2020|Fortune
Raptly, they drink in the cunningly arranged open floor plan.
Beyond Stainless|Megan McArdle|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST

He cleared his throat and his eyes wandered, raptly, as of old, into the dim vastness of the rafters.
Thirty|Howard Vincent O'Brien
Cordelia listened to him, contented and happy—listened almost raptly, as though she was making the most of her day.
The Silver Poppy|Arthur Stringer
Annapla thought her diminutive admirer adorable; she stood raptly gazing on him, with her dish-clout dripping on the floor.
Doom Castle|Neil Munro
All her attention was focused raptly on that bed beside the wall.
The Firefly Of France|Marion Polk Angellotti
Orsino had listened raptly to the words and joined in a burst of spontaneous applause that swept around the table.
The Syndic|C.M. Kornbluth