Definition of ECSTATIC

Did You Know?

Adjective

Ecstatic has been used in our language since at least 1590, and the noun "ecstasy" is even older, dating from the 1300s. Both derive from the Greek verb existanai ("to put out of place"), which was used in a Greek phrase meaning "to drive someone out of his or her mind." That seems an appropriate history for words that can describe someone who is nearly out of his or her mind with intense emotion. In early use, "ecstatic" was sometimes linked to mystic trances, out-of-body experiences, and temporary madness. Today, however, it most typically implies a state of enthusiastic excitement or intense happiness.

Examples of ecstatic in a Sentence

Adjective

A few religious denominations—Pentecostalism, for example—still offer a collective ecstatic experience, as did rock culture at its height. But the ecstatic religions tend to be marginal, and rock has been tamed for commercial consumption … — Barbara Ehrenreich, Civilization, June/July 2000 … in dietary terms we are veritable troglodytes (which, speaking personally, is all right by me). I think this explains a lot, not least my expanding sense of dismay as the waiter bombarded us with ecstatic descriptions of roulades, ratatouilles, empanadas, langostinos … and goodness knows what else. — Bill Bryson, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, 1999 He was ecstatic when he heard that he was going to be a father. a football player who was ecstatic upon receiving a full athletic scholarship to the college of his choice

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

If Herbert can complete over 60 percent of his passes and avoid turnovers Oregon’s chances of winning will skyrocket and Ducks fans will be ecstatic about the prospects for the season. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon opponent early scouting report: Auburn," 8 July 2019 Everyone is ecstatic about the upcoming wedding – except me. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Woman having second thoughts about upcoming wedding," 4 July 2019 Everyone is ecstatic about the upcoming wedding — except me. — Carolyn Hax, The Mercury News, "Carolyn Hax: My co-worker taunts me about my boyfriend, who used to be hers," 4 July 2019 Pacers fans were ecstatic about the additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb, with hope the moves would improve the team after last year’s first round exit in the playoffs. — Tyler Kraft, Indianapolis Star, "Pacers championship odds plummet following NBA free agency," 3 July 2019 When Tyler, a brown tabby born without eyelids, was adopted by a local family, Animal Care Service staff members were ecstatic. — Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio animal rescues seeking homes for special needs pets," 1 July 2019 Deputies quickly responded, picked up the pooch and returned her to Capri, who was ecstatic. — oregonlive.com, "Missing Milwaukie guide dog returned home to grateful owner," 30 June 2019 The young Red Sox fan from Wyoming had a congenital heart defect and had undergone more than 30 surgical procedures and was ecstatic to hear from Big Papi. — Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, "Young Red Sox fan wishes David Ortiz a speedy recovery after Ortiz supported him," 11 June 2019 People in the courtroom were ecstatic, leaping up, clapping and ululating, LEGABIBO legal policy director Caine Youngman told The Associated Press. — NBC News, "Botswana decriminalizes gay sex in landmark Africa case," 11 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ecstatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for ecstatic

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin ecstaticus, extaticus, borrowed from Greek ekstatikós "inclined to depart from, out of one's senses, causing mental derangement," from eksta-, stem of existánai "to displace, confound," exístasthai "to be astonished, lose consciousness" + -t-, verbal adjective suffix (after statós "standing") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at ecstasy

Noun