Word
rapport
Phoneticsrap·port, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹæˈpɔɹ/
UK/ɹæpˈɔː/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a friendly relationship where people understand each other's ideas and feelings well. When you have this, you find it easy to talk and work together.
n. a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.
Examples
“The teacher has a great rapport with her students.”
“Building a strong rapport with clients is essential for long-term success in any sales-driven industry.”
“The negotiator spent hours establishing a genuine rapport with the opposing party before attempting to discuss the more contentious points of the treaty.”
Examples
simple
“The teacher has a great rapport with her students.”
contextual
“Building a strong rapport with clients is essential for long-term success in any sales-driven industry.”
complex
“The negotiator spent hours establishing a genuine rapport with the opposing party before attempting to discuss the more contentious points of the treaty.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'build', 'establish', or 'develop'; typically takes the preposition 'with'.
Pitfall
They have a good rapport between them.
They have a good rapport with each other.
While 'between' is used for the relationship itself, 'rapport' is most naturally paired with 'with' to describe the connection to another person.
Real-World Examples
“Be careful what you wish for: the returning president thought his rapport with Putin would be enough to get Russia to sign up to an immediate ceasefire.” “So too is the rapport between the men, who discuss their faith in unembarrassed fashion and talk about what Jesus means to them.” Etymology
Borrowed from French rapport.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/rapport