ecstasy

1 of 2

noun (1)

ec·​sta·​sy ˈek-stə-sē 

plural ecstasies

1

: a state of overwhelming emotion

especially : rapturous delight

2

often Ecstasy : 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

MDMA

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˌem-(ˌ)dē-(ˌ)em-ˈā 

: ecstasy sense 2

Synonyms of ecstasy

Noun (1)

• joy
• heaven
• happiness
• euphoria
• delight
• elation
• pleasure
• intoxication
• rapture
• trance
• exhilaration
• high
• joyfulness
• frenzy
• rhapsody
• paradise
• bliss
• 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

Noun (1)

His performance sent the audience into ecstasies.

actors are typically in ecstasy upon winning an Oscar

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Write some of this century’s most devastating songs about the ecstasy of getting together. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

But maybe a little less self-admiring performative ecstasy from some of the rest? —David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 June 2026

Noun

Allen’s first pass at the World in Motion lyrics was so laden with references to the druggier aspects of Manchester’s rave culture that the English team politely asked him to maybe tone it down with all the MDMA business. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026

Investigators found more than 92 pounds of narcotics, including cocaine, MDMA, Xanax and marijuana — marking the largest drug seizure in Miami Gardens Police Department history, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said in a statement. —Sofia Saric june 10, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

methylene + di- + methamphetamine

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

1978, in the meaning defined above

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