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

Some 30,000 people viewed the pre-sale displays of furniture, jewelry and White House knickknacks and snapped up more than 100,000 catalogs, at $90 in hardcover and $45 in softcover. Prices, driven by ecstasies of nostalgia, went through the roof. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 21 May 2024

In a matter of months, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide whether the drug commonly known as ecstasy can be used as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. —Will Stone, NPR, 13 May 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