ecstasy

noun

ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē 

plural ecstasies

1

: a state of overwhelming emotion

especially : rapturous delight

2

often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties

called also MDMA

3

: trance

especially : a mystic or prophetic trance

4

a

: a state of being beyond reason and self-control

b

archaic : swoon

Synonyms

• cloud nine
• elatedness
• elation
• euphoria
• exhilaration
• heaven
• high
• intoxication
• paradise
• rapture
• rhapsody
• seventh heaven
• swoon
• transport

Choose the Right Synonym for ecstasy

ecstasy, rapture, transport mean intense exaltation of mind and feelings.

ecstasy and rapture both suggest a state of trance or near immobility produced by an overpowering emotion.

ecstasy may apply to any strong emotion (such as joy, fear, rage, adoration).

religious ecstasy

rapture usually implies intense bliss or beatitude.

in speechless rapture

transport applies to any powerful emotion that lifts one out of oneself and usually provokes vehement expression or frenzied action.

in a transport of rage

Examples of ecstasy in a Sentence

His performance sent the audience into ecstasies.

actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar

Recent Examples on the Web

Her face is placid and grateful, set in ecstasy or prayer. —Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Compared to the agony and the ecstasy on display in McQueen’s extraordinary Small Axe compilation, which celebrated the United Kingdom’s diaspora culture while forcing the country to reckon with its institutionally racist past, this might seem like weak tea. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

Elsewhere onscreen, dart your eyes toward another frame with Richard and Margaret, or Richard’s parents (played by Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly) in a moment of ecstasy or, more likely, one of their rows. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2024

Contrary to popular belief, Pink Cocaine does not contain cocaine but is instead a combination of 2-CB, MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, and caffeine according to the National Capital Poison Center. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English exstasie, extasy "elation," borrowed from Middle French extasie, "stupor, transported state," borrowed from Late Latin ecstasis, extasis "trance, swoon, profound sleep," borrowed from Greek ékstasis "displacement, mental distraction, astonishment, trance," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, drive out of one's senses, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" (from ex- ex- entry 3 + histánai "to cause to stand, place," hístasthai "to be standing") + -sis -sis — more at stand entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Kids Definition

ecstasy

noun

ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē 

plural ecstasies

1

: a state of being beyond reason and self-control

2

: a state of overwhelming emotion

an ecstasy of fear

especially : very great joy

3

: a drug used illegally to stimulate the central nervous system and to cause hallucinations

ecstatic

ek-ˈstat-ik

ik-

adjective

ecstatically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

ecstasy

noun

ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē 

plural ecstasies

1

: a trance state in which intense absorption (as in religious ideation) is accompanied by loss of sense perception and voluntary control

2

often capitalized : a synthetic amphetamine analog C₁₁H₁₅NO₂ used illicitly for its mood-enhancing and hallucinogenic properties

called also MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, XTC

ecstatic

ek-ˈstat-ik 

adjective