ecstasy

[ ek-stuh-see ]

noun

, plural ec·sta·sies.

1. rapturous delight.
2. an overpowering emotion or exaltation; a state of sudden, intense feeling.

   Synonyms: elation, bliss, delight

3. the frenzy of poetic inspiration.
4. mental transport or rapture from the contemplation of divine things.
5. (often initial capital letter) Slang. MDMA ( def ).

ecstasy

/ ˈɛkstəsɪ /

noun

1. often plural a state of exalted delight, joy, etc; rapture
2. intense emotion of any kind

   an ecstasy of rage

3. psychol overpowering emotion characterized by loss of self-control and sometimes a temporary loss of consciousness: often associated with orgasm, religious mysticism, and the use of certain drugs
4. archaic.
   a state of prophetic inspiration, esp of poetic rapture
5. slang.
   3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine; MDMA: a powerful drug that acts as a stimulant and can produce hallucinations

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecstasy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English extasie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin extasis, from Greek ékstasis “displacement, trance,” equivalent to ek- ec- + stásis stasis

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecstasy¹

C14: from Old French extasie, via Medieval Latin from Greek ekstasis displacement, trance, from existanai to displace, from ex- out + histanai to cause to stand

Synonym Study

Ecstasy, rapture, transport, exaltation share a sense of being taken or moved out of one's self or one's normal state, and entering a state of intensified or heightened feeling. Ecstasy suggests an intensification of emotion so powerful as to produce a trancelike dissociation from all but the single overpowering feeling: an ecstasy of rage, grief, love. Rapture shares the power of ecstasy but most often refers to an elevated sensation of bliss or delight, either carnal or spiritual: the rapture of first love. Transport, somewhat less extreme than either ecstasy or rapture, implies a strength of feeling that results in expression of some kind: They jumped up and down in a transport of delight. Exaltation refers to a heady sense of personal well-being so powerful that one is lifted above normal emotional levels and above normal people: wild exaltation at having finally broken the record.

Example Sentences

A visit to the produce section of the supermarket, with all its colors and 3D shapes, could send me into a sort of ecstasy.

From MIT Technology Review

They might give a quick nod to its spiritual potential, but most of the discussion will focus on physical ecstasy.

From Nautilus

In addition to its discreet application, it dries very quickly, so you don’t have to spend half an hour languishing in the shade while your friends prance around in their vitamin A-infused ecstasy.

From Outside Online

This is all a far cry from older workplace dramas like Mad Men or Phantom Thread or literally any Aaron Sorkin show, whose flawed protagonists find meaning or ecstasy or redemption through a job brilliantly done.

From Time

Flowers knows exactly what sounds to combine so that the audience goes into ecstasy, a sensation that bounces back instantly and makes you raise your arms to the metallic beat that is more intense with every second.

From Washington Blade

No more wishing you could feel her hot breath on your neck as she writhes in ecstasy.

From The Daily Beast

All Higuain had to do was pause, mark his target, and kick Argentina to ecstasy.

From The Daily Beast

The goal offered ecstasy to free-kick aficionados, who have had little to cherish at this World Cup.

From The Daily Beast

His experiments most famously introduced the empathogenic drug MDMA into the popular consciousness—under its street name, Ecstasy.

From The Daily Beast

Molly holds the reputation of being an unadulterated drug—Ecstasy minus any and all substances used to cut it.

From The Daily Beast

She reached forward to it in ecstasy; but she might not enjoy it, save at the price which her conscience exacted.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a golden day, almost incredibly clear and radiant, quivering with brightness and life, and surely with ecstasy.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw pictures of exquisite delights, of earthly paradises, of joys that made life an ecstasy.

From Project Gutenberg

While Norman set to work as pioneer, some skipped about in wild ecstasy, and Ethel knelt down to peer into the hole.

From Project Gutenberg

A violent blow drew him from his ecstasy; his hat had been knocked off with the stroke of a soldier's halberd.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elation
• euphoria
• happiness
• joy
• rapture