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The word rapport bears a resemblance to a more common English word, report, which is no coincidence: both words come ultimately from the Latin verb portare, meaning "to carry," and both traveled through French words meaning "to bring back" on their way to English. Report has been in use since the 14th century, when it entered Middle English by way of Anglo-French. Rapport was first used in the mid-15th century as a synonym of report in its "account or statement" meaning, but that meaning had become obsolete by the mid-19th century. It wasn't until the early 20th century that English speakers borrowed rapport back from French in the meaning of "a friendly, harmonious relationship." We're happy to report that rapport has since flourished, and we trust this friendly word will stick around a while.
Examples of rapport in a Sentence
Paul Trachtman, Smithsonian, May 1998
… is said to have established an unusual rapport with the Afghan officers through demonstrating his respect for their traditions and way of life.
—Carey Schofield, The Russian Elite, 1993
Moreover, I shall … be arguing that the strength of even the more formal Southern writers stems from their knowledge of and rapport with the language spoken by the unlettered.
—Cleanth Brooks, The Language of the American South, 1985
He quickly developed a good rapport with the other teachers.
She works hard to build rapport with her patients.
There is a lack of rapport between the members of the group.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Your first sale often comes from building that personal rapport.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024
Meeting someone in person creates an opportunity for building trust and rapport that's hard to replicate through a screen.
—Hao Lam, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
How Arsenal's rapport with Black identity resonates and endures
Inside Newcastle Q&A: January transfer priorities?
—New York Times, 8 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rapport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapport. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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