ecstatic

adjective

ec·stat·ic | \ek-ˈsta-tik,

ik-ˈsta-\

Definition of ecstatic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or marked by ecstasy

ecstatic

noun

ec·stat·ic | \ek-ˈsta-tik,

ik-ˈsta-\

Definition of ecstatic (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is subject to ecstasies

Other Words from ecstatic Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about ecstatic

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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

Their families are ecstatic, and the girls were flown to Nigeria's capital to meet the country's President. — Doug Criss, CNN, "5 things for March 22: Facebook, Austin bomber, shutdown, schoolgirls, ocean trash," 22 Mar. 2018 Middleton looked ecstatic to be taking part in the engagement, and seemed happy to celebrating St. Patrick's Day with the guards. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Emerald Green," 17 Mar. 2018 Allure is ecstatic to be one of the first to announce that brand-spanking-new shades of Fenty Beauty's Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color are coming soon to shelves near you (and online, too). — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "Fenty Beauty Is Launching a New Stunna Lip Paint Shade Each Day This Week — and We're Trying Them All," 21 Sep. 2018 Upon seeing the new pictures, almost all royal fans seemed to be ecstatic over them. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Kate Middleton Shares Intimate Moment With Prince Louis in Christening Photos," 15 July 2018 Family members and friends were predictably ecstatic over the news that everyone was finally safe. — Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, "How Rescuers Pulled Off the Impossible in a Treacherous Thai Cave," 10 July 2018 The whiplash turn here is dizzying: one minute June is in labor and Serena is ecstatic, sinking to her knees to give thanks for this sacred blessing. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Episode 10 Is Its Most Horrifying Yet," 20 June 2018 And the singing draws on some of the same traditions that Aguilera does, with lots of throaty murmuring and ecstatic diva wailing. — Mikael Wood, latimes.com, "Christina Aguilera is rebuilding a cult of personality. Sophie has no use for one," 13 June 2018 Prince Louis' christening was a quiet family affair, and both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked ecstatic to be introducing their new baby to the rest of the family. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince William Had the Most Adorable Dad Moment at Prince Louis' Christening," 9 July 2018

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.