ecstasy
gb/ˈɛkstəsi/ us/ˈɛkstəsi/
B2
English
~ 6900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
state
1
overwhelming happiness or pleasure
A very strong feeling of happiness or pleasure that is much greater than normal joy.
Usage pattern:
be in ecstasy over [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ecstasy" for normal happiness, where words like "joy" or "pleasure" are more natural. "Ecstasy" is only used for very strong, intense feelings. It is also easy to confuse this emotional meaning with the drug meaning; context (for example, verbs like "feel", "be in") usually shows that it is about emotion, not drugs.
Synonyms
bliss (Often suggests peaceful, calm happiness, while ecstasy can be more intense or overwhelming.)
|
rapture (Very close in meaning, but slightly more literary or religious than ecstasy.)
|
euphoria (Can sound more medical or technical and is often used for a light, floating happiness, not always as overwhelming as ecstasy.)
Antonyms
misery (Describes deep unhappiness or suffering, the emotional opposite of ecstasy.)
|
despair (Stresses total loss of hope, contrasting strongly with the intense joy of ecstasy.)
Collocations
in ecstasy
|cry out in ecstasy
|shake with ecstasy
|tears of ecstasy
|the ecstasy of [doing something]
|bring [someone] to ecstasy
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|art
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was in ecstasy when she heard that her book had won the prize.
- The crowd screamed in ecstasy as the team scored the winning goal.
- Listening to the final movement of the symphony, he closed his eyes in pure ecstasy.
- The lovers held each other in a moment of sheer ecstasy.
- The artist described the ecstasy of finally seeing his vision on the canvas.
Learner examples
- She was in ecstasy when she got the job.
- The fans jumped and shouted in ecstasy after the goal.
- He closed his eyes in ecstasy as he tasted the chocolate.
- The singer felt ecstasy when the audience clapped for her.
- They hugged each other in ecstasy when the exam results were good.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
2
illegal drug MDMA
An illegal drug, usually a pill, called MDMA that people sometimes take at parties to feel very happy and full of energy.
Usage pattern:
take ecstasy at [an event/place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "ecstasy" always means the drug. In news or health contexts with verbs like "take" or "sell", it usually means the drug; in emotional contexts with verbs like "feel" or "be in", it means intense happiness. Also, do not use an article before this drug name in general statements: say "Ecstasy is illegal", not "The ecstasy is illegal".
Synonyms
MDMA (More technical or chemical name; used in medical or scientific contexts rather than everyday speech.)
Antonyms
sobriety (Refers to not taking alcohol or drugs, so it contrasts with taking ecstasy.)
Collocations
take ecstasy
|on ecstasy
|ecstasy tablet
|ecstasy pill
|ecstasy use
|ecstasy dealer
Themes
drugs
|health
|crime
|daily_life
Examples
- He was arrested after police found several ecstasy tablets in his bag.
- Some clubbers were taken to hospital after taking ecstasy at the festival.
- The article discussed the dangers of ecstasy and other party drugs.
- She said she felt sick and anxious the day after taking ecstasy.
- The government launched a campaign to warn young people about ecstasy use.
Learner examples
- The police found ecstasy in his car.
- Some young people take ecstasy at clubs.
- Ecstasy is an illegal drug.
- The news report talked about the risks of ecstasy.
- He was charged with selling ecstasy to teenagers.
Noun
literary
C2
state
3
trance-like intense emotional state
A very deep, dream-like state when a person is so full of strong feeling, religion, or ideas that they do not notice normal life around them.
Usage pattern:
fall into an ecstasy of [emotion]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a more literary or religious meaning and may try to use it in everyday conversation, which can sound strange or old-fashioned. In normal modern speech, people usually use this sense only in specific contexts like religion, art, or literature.
Synonyms
trance (A general word for a half-conscious state; ecstasy implies a strong emotional or spiritual cause.)
|
transport (A literary term for being carried away by strong feeling; similar register to this sense of ecstasy.)
Antonyms
detachment (Being calm and emotionally distant, the opposite of being carried away in ecstasy.)
|
composure (Describes controlled, calm awareness, which contrasts with losing oneself in ecstasy.)
Collocations
religious ecstasy
|mystical ecstasy
|in an ecstasy of prayer
|artistic ecstasy
|in a creative ecstasy
|fall into an ecstasy
Themes
religion
|arts
|psychology
|emotions
Examples
- The monk appeared to be in a state of religious ecstasy, unaware of the crowd around him.
- Lost in an ecstasy of creation, the composer worked through the night.
- She spoke of the mystical ecstasy she experienced during silent retreat.
- The painting shows a saint in ecstasy, eyes lifted toward the heavens.
- He fell into an ecstasy of prayer, repeating the same words over and over.
Learner examples
- The saint is shown in ecstasy in the old painting.
- The poet wrote in a kind of ecstasy and did not sleep.
- The crowd watched as the dancer moved in ecstasy.
- In some stories, holy people fall into ecstasy when they pray.
- The singer seemed in ecstasy and did not see the people around her.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ecstasy
IPA
GB/ˈɛkstəsi/
US/ˈɛkstəsi/
Syllables & stress
ec - stasy (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ecstasy
- Plural: ecstasies, ecstasy
Word family
Expressions
cry out in ecstasy
1/kɹˈaɪ ˈaʊt ˈɪn ˈɛkstəsi/
fixed phrase
literary
shout because of intense pleasure
To shout or make a loud sound because you feel very strong pleasure or happiness.
Examples
- The crowd cried out in ecstasy as the fireworks lit up the sky.
- She cried out in ecstasy when she heard that her visa had finally been approved.
in a state of ecstasy
1/ˈɪn ə stˈeɪt əv ˈɛkstəsi/
fixed phrase
in a condition of ecstasy
To be feeling a very strong level of happiness or pleasure at that time.
Examples
- The fans were in a state of ecstasy after the final whistle.
- She walked around all day in a state of ecstasy after the proposal.
in ecstasy
1/ˈɪn ˈɛkstəsi/
fixed phrase
experiencing intense happiness
To feel very, very happy or full of pleasure.
Examples
- The children were in ecstasy when they saw the snow for the first time.
- She was in ecstasy as the crowd cheered her name.
- He lay on the beach in ecstasy, feeling the warm sun on his face.
the agony and the ecstasy
1/ðə ˈæɡəni ˈænd ðə ˈɛkstəsi/
idiom
literary
extreme highs and lows
The very great pain and the very great joy that can both be part of one activity or part of life.
Examples
- The book describes the agony and the ecstasy of being a professional athlete.
- Parenthood brings the agony and the ecstasy of watching your children grow up.