English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

rapture

RAPT-shuh

Rapture (noun) means a feeling of intense joy or delight, often so strong it feels overwhelming. Example: “She listened to the symphony in complete rapture.”

noun
1
A feeling of intense joy or delight, often so strong it feels overwhelming.
"She listened to the symphony in complete rapture."
"The crowd watched the fireworks in rapture."
2
In some Christian belief, an event in which believers are taken up to heaven.
"The novel imagines what life would be like after the Rapture."

How to use rapture

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOverwhelming happiness, or (capitalized, in Christian theology) believers being taken up to heaven.

Common mistake

Capitalize "Rapture" only when referring to the specific religious event; lowercase "rapture" is just extreme joy.

Common pairings
in rapture a look of rapture

Word forms

raptured past tense, raptures singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “rapture” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She listened to the symphony in complete _____.

Etymology

From Latin raptura, "a snatching or carrying off" — the same root that gives us "rapid" and "raptor."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for rapture

See all rhymes for rapture →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rapture” mean?

The word “rapture” means a feeling of intense joy or delight, often so strong it feels overwhelming. In plain terms, overwhelming happiness, or (capitalized, in Christian theology) believers being taken up to heaven.

How do you pronounce “rapture”?

“Rapture” is pronounced RAPT-shuh (/ˈɹæpt͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “rapture” in a sentence?

Here is “rapture” used in a sentence: “She listened to the symphony in complete rapture.”

What part of speech is “rapture”?

“Rapture” is a noun.

Where does the word “rapture” come from?

The word “rapture” comes from Latin. From Latin raptura, "a snatching or carrying off" — the same root that gives us "rapid" and "raptor.".

Is “rapture” a common word?

“Rapture” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “rapture” have?

“Rapture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of intense joy or delight, often so strong it feels overwhelming.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial