ecstasy - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
ecstasy Word Meanings
- a state of intense joy or delight
- a feeling of overwhelming happiness
- a trance-like state usually induced by drugs.
ecstasy Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
ecstasy Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɛk.stə.si/
US
/ˈɛk.stə.si/
ecstasy Word Etymology
The word 'ecstasy' is derived from the Greek 'ekstasis,' where 'ek-' means 'out' and 'stasis' means 'standing.' It entered English via Old French. Imagine someone standing out of their body due to overwhelming joy or bliss.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Ecstasy is a noun describing a state of intense joy, delight, or overwhelming happiness. It can refer to peak emotional experiences, such as witnessing a breathtaking performance, achieving a lifelong goal, or falling deeply in love. The term can also denote a trance-like state often associated with drugs, rituals, or spiritual experiences, where perception is heightened and time may feel distorted. In everyday English you might say someone is “in ecstasy” or “full of ecstasy.” Ecstasy conveys a powerfully deep, almost transcendent level of feeling, stronger than simple excitement or happiness.
Usage Reminders
- Use for extreme joy, not just excitement
- Often paired with 'in ecstasy' or 'be in ecstasy'
- Avoid assuming it always has a drug or religious meaning
- Distinguish ecstasy from the adjective 'ecstatic'
- Be mindful that it conveys transcendent intensity, not everyday happiness
- Do not overuse in casual conversations
Common Misconceptions
- Ecstasy equals mere happiness or excitement
- It always has a drug or religious meaning
- It's interchangeable with ecstatic or ecstatic mood
- You can say 'ecstasy' alone in casual talk
- It describes any intense emotion, not just joy
Thinking Differences
In English, ecstasy marks peak emotion and can describe joy or a drug/spiritual trance; learners often treat it as everyday happiness or confuse it with ecstatic, which is the adjective form.
Learning Tips
- Learn the core sense: extreme joy vs drug/ritual connotations
- Pair with in ecstasy and be in ecstasy to show state
- Contrast with ecstatic (adjective) to avoid misusage
- Note common collocations like 'in ecstasy' and 'filled with ecstasy'
- Avoid translating to a single synonym for all contexts
- Practice with real-life scenes (art, romance, achievement)
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'ecstasy'?
A.A state of extreme happiness
B.A feeling of deep sadness
C.A type of food
D.A type of vehicle
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'ecstasy' correctly?
A.She was in agony after winning the award.
B.He was filled with ecstasy after receiving good news.
C.The weather was cold and icy outside.
D.The cat enjoyed playing with the yarn.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'ecstasy'?
A.Joy
B.Sadness
C.Anger
D.Misery
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'ecstasy'?
A.Excitement
B.Pleasure
C.Depression
D.Ecstatic
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context might someone experience 'ecstasy'?
A.Losing a pet
B.Winning a lottery jackpot
C.Getting a parking ticket
D.Watching a boring movie
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