Definition of ECSTATIC

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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

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 Carrillo presents her in an ecstatic swoon - pen in one hand, rosary in the other - her arched body bent to God's will. — Victoria Dalkey, sacbee, "Crocker showcases diversity of Eduardo Carrillo's work, from realism to myth and fantasy," 6 July 2018 However, the Neubauers were ecstatic when April delivered their baby, Rosalia. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Photos of "breast-feeding" dad go viral," 3 July 2018 Windsor was filled with the sound of ecstatic cheers and jubilation in a celebration of love and Britishness. — Aimee Lewis, CNN, "A day in Windsor when everything changed," 19 May 2018 Jean Paul Gaultier is a singularly joyful guy, as anyone who’s witnessed one of his ecstatic sprints down his Paris runway can attest. — Nicole Phelps, Vogue, "Jean Paul Gaultier Talks “Heavenly Bodies,” That KKW Perfume Bottle, and Being a Fashion Freak," 7 May 2018 Chicago White Sox fans were ecstatic about the team’s top pitching prospect one week, and impatient and frustrated the next. — Chapel Fowler, charlotteobserver, "White Sox prospect Michael Kopech stopped listening, went from struggling to sizzling," 27 June 2018 And now Liverpool prepare for the final day of the season without having to endure a midweek game - something Klopp is ecstatic about. — SI.com, "Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp Glad to Have Entire Week to Prepare for Crucial Brighton Game," 9 May 2018 Aware of Charleston’s tendency to assume outsiders are suspect until proven otherwise, John Lewis spent a year just hanging around town, eating his way into the city’s heart before opening his place to an ecstatic, lines-around-the-block reception. — Brendan Vaughan, GQ, "11 Reasons Why The New Charleston Should Be Your Next Weekend Trip," 29 Apr. 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.