rapport
/ræˈpɔːr/
noun
Origin
French
rapporter — to bring back, to relate
Overview
Meaning Now
- A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.
Literal older meaning
bringing back
Language path
Old French → French → English
Earliest form
rapport
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The word originally entered English as a generic term for a report or a connection between two things, mirroring the French usage. By the early 20th century, it became heavily associated with psychological and interpersonal communication, specifically describing the state of 'being on the same wavelength'.
Evolution
- Old French (12th century)
rapporter
“to bring back, to report”
From 're-' (back) + 'apporter' (to bring).
- Middle French (16th century)
rapport
“a return, a relation, or a connection”
Developed from the verb as a noun denoting a state of correspondence.
- English (17th century)
rapport
“a relationship or connection”
Direct loan from French; usage narrowed to social harmony in the 20th century.
Connections
Word parts
re-
prefix
back
apporter
root
to bring
Related across languages
French
rapporter
to bring back
Related words
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Related to rapport
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.