# rapport

/ɹæˈpɔɹ/ (US) · /ɹæpˈɔː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rapport
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They have a good rapport between them." but "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.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verbs 'build', 'establish', or 'develop'; typically takes the preposition 'with'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.