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rapport

ra-PORE /ræˈpɔːr/

nounC1GREIELTSUPSC

ProfessionalPsychology

A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.

Rapport is about emotional connection and trust, not just professional agreement. It is the 'social glue' of a sales relationship.

The story behind the word. Borrowed from French, where it literally means 'to bring back'. It implies a sense of 'give and take'—you bring something to the relationship, and the other person brings something back.

Word relationships

affinity: Affinity is a natural liking; rapport is a developed state of mutual understanding.
bond: A bond can be any connection; rapport specifically emphasizes communication and harmony.

discord: Discord is a lack of harmony; rapport is the presence of it.
hostility: Hostility is active unfriendliness; rapport is active friendliness and trust.

Commonly confused with

report: A report is a document of facts; rapport is a feeling of connection (the 't' is silent in rapport).

Collocations

build rapport
establish rapport
good rapport
instant rapport

Example sentences

"She was able to establish a quick rapport with the client by finding common interests outside of work." Advice on building relationships with new clients.
"Without rapport, every negotiation becomes a battle of wills rather than a collaboration." The importance of connection in high-stakes negotiation.

Memory hook

Rapport sounds like 'support'. When you have rapport, you support each other's ideas. Support through rapport.

When not to use

Do not use 'rapport' to describe a purely transactional or cold interaction where no personal connection exists.

Fun facts

The 't' at the end of rapport is silent because of its French origin, a common stumbling block for English learners.