‘Rapport’ or ‘Rappore’: Which is the Correct Spelling?

By Shanea Patterson, updated on October 14, 2022

Are you wondering which spelling is correct – ‘rapport’ or ‘rappore’? If you’d like to know more, you’ve come to the right place.

Rapport is a commonly misspelled word, but today we will clarify the correct spelling of the word. We’ll also learn more about the meaning of the word and how to use it in a sentence.

The correct spelling for the word is ‘rapport’ and not ‘rappore.’

A Little Grammar Lesson

As we have already stated, the correct spelling for the word above is ‘rapport.’ It is never spelled ‘rappore’ because that is not an English word.

Are you curious about why it’s spelled ‘rapport’? Let’s discuss.

The word ‘rapport’ is a French word that stems from the verb “rapporter.” The word ‘rapport’ literally translates to “carry something back.”

It relates to the modern definition of ‘rapport’ in that “carrying something back” could mean people relating to each other in a way that they “send back” what they get. Or in other words, they both share the same values or beliefs.

The word first appeared during the 1660s. It can be traced back even further to the 14th century when it was an Old French noun meaning “judgment or pronouncement.” It also reportedly stems from the word “reporter,” which means “to relate” or “to tell.”

In the French language, the letters ‘ort’ combined don’t stress the ‘t’ sound. You stop pronouncing letters at the letter ‘r.’

Later in the article, we’ll discuss the reason for spelling the word the way it is.

‘Rapport’ or ‘Rappore’: Which is Right

The correct way to spell the word in US English dictionaries is ‘rapport.’

What Does ‘Rapport’ Mean

How to Use It in a Sentence

So how can you use ‘rapport’ in a sentence?

The word is a noun, so that it can be used in the following ways:

  • Brian has a great rapport with his co-workers
  • The doctor has a great rapport with the nurses.
  • I’ve worked hard to build a good rapport with my clients.

As you can see, the word ‘rapport’ is a word used to describe close relationships or friendships.

Can You Use ‘Rappore’?

‘Rappore’ is not the correct spelling of the word ‘rapport.’ Therefore, you shouldn’t use it in any circumstance.

Final Thoughts About Rapport

Although it might seem to make more sense to spell the word ‘rapport’ as ‘rappore’ because of the way it’s spelled, the word ‘rappore’ is not a word in the American English dictionary. Therefore, you should not use it in the place of ‘rapport.’

It might be hard to remember the correct spelling of the word ‘rapport’ because people often misspell it (especially online), but it’s important.

You must remember that ‘rappore’ is never the correct spelling of the word, at least according to trusted educational resources, including Merriam-Webster and the Cambridge Dictionary.

For more clarification about confusing English words and commonly misspelled words, be sure to check out our articles explaining confusing words.

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Written By:
Shanea Patterson
Shanea Patterson is a writer based in New York and loves writing for brands big and small. She has a master's degree in professional writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree in English from Mercy College.

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