noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

ecstasy

EHKS-tuh-see

Quiz me More like this

Ecstasy (noun) means a feeling of intense joy or pleasure, often so strong it overwhelms rational thought. Example: “She screamed in ecstasy when she saw her name on the winners' list.”

noun

A feeling of intense joy or pleasure, often so strong it overwhelms rational thought.

"She screamed in ecstasy when she saw her name on the winners' list."

"The crowd was in ecstasy as the final goal went in."

The recreational drug MDMA, especially in tablet form.

"Police found several tablets of ecstasy at the scene."

How to use ecstasy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOverwhelming joy or delight — or, as a separate meaning, the street name for the drug MDMA.

Common mistake

Context matters: "ecstasy" meaning intense joy is a normal, everyday word; only capitalise or treat as a drug reference when that meaning is clearly intended.

Common pairings

pure ecstasy in ecstasy a state of ecstasy

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like ecstasy.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: ecstasies
Third person singular: ecstasies
Past tense: ecstasied

Test yourself on “ecstasy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She screamed in _____ when she saw her name on the winners' list.

Etymology

From Greek ékstasis, "displacement" or "trance," from existēmi — ek- ("out") plus histēmi ("to stand") — the sense of being so overcome with feeling that you're "standing outside" yourself.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

View more →

bliss euphoria rapture elation exhilaration mdma exaltation cristal XTC go Adam X

Antonyms

pain anguish torture misery agony

Related words

go pass pain travel hurt transport pleasure Adam

Rhymes for ecstasy

easy peasy uneasy queasy greasy creasy fantasy apostasy speakeasy idiosyncrasy

See all rhymes for ecstasy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ecstasy” mean?

The word “ecstasy” means a feeling of intense joy or pleasure, often so strong it overwhelms rational thought. In plain terms, overwhelming joy or delight — or, as a separate meaning, the street name for the drug MDMA.

How do you pronounce “ecstasy”?

“Ecstasy” is pronounced EHKS-tuh-see (/ˈɛkstəsi/ in IPA).

How do you use “ecstasy” in a sentence?

Here is “ecstasy” used in a sentence: “She screamed in ecstasy when she saw her name on the winners' list.”

What part of speech is “ecstasy”?

“Ecstasy” is a noun.

Where does the word “ecstasy” come from?

The word “ecstasy” comes from Greek. From Greek ékstasis, "displacement" or "trance," from existēmi — ek- ("out") plus histēmi ("to stand") — the sense of being so overcome with feeling that you're "standing outside" yourself.

Is “ecstasy” a common word?

“Ecstasy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “ecstasy” have?

“Ecstasy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of intense joy or pleasure, often so strong it overwhelms rational thought.

People also searched

go pass pain travel hurt transport pleasure Adam