ecstasy
C1formal (for emotion); informal/slang (for drug)
Definition
Meaning
An overwhelming feeling of intense joy, delight, or rapture.
1) A state of being beyond reason and self-control, often related to religious or spiritual experience. 2) A slang term for the psychoactive drug MDMA. 3) Archaic or poetic: a trance-like state.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The dominant modern usage for the emotion is formal and literary. The drug sense is informal and became prominent in the late 20th century, sometimes capitalised ('Ecstasy') to distinguish it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between BrE and AmE for the emotion. The drug sense is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the emotional sense connotes extreme, often spiritual or artistic, joy. The drug sense carries strong counter-cultural and illegal connotations.
Frequency
The emotional sense is slightly more frequent in literary/formal BrE contexts. The drug sense frequency is comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be in ecstasy (over/at sth)to go into ecstasy (over sth)to send sb into ecstasyto experience/feel ecstasyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the seventh heaven (of ecstasy)”
- “on cloud nine (similar concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hyperbolic marketing: 'Our customers experience ecstasy with our new product.'
Academic
Used in psychology (emotional state), religious studies (mystical experience), and sociology/criminology (drug culture).
Everyday
Most commonly used hyperbolically for great pleasure: 'This chocolate is pure ecstasy.' Also common for the drug.
Technical
In pharmacology/neurology: refers to the drug MDMA and its effects.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – 'ecstasy' is not used as a verb in modern English. Use 'ecstasize' (archaic/rare) or 'send into ecstasy'.
American English
- N/A – 'ecstasy' is not used as a verb in modern English. Use 'thrill' or 'delight' instead.
adverb
British English
- N/A – The adverb is 'ecstatically'. Example: 'The crowd cheered ecstatically.'
American English
- N/A – The adverb is 'ecstatically'. Example: 'She smiled ecstatically.'
adjective
British English
- N/A – The adjective is 'ecstatic'. Example: 'She was ecstatic at the news.'
American English
- N/A – The adjective is 'ecstatic'. Example: 'He felt ecstatic after winning.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She was in ecstasy when she got the puppy.
- The children were screaming with ecstasy on the rollercoaster.
- Winning the championship filled the team with pure ecstasy.
- The music sent the audience into a state of ecstasy.
- The poet described the mystical ecstasy of his spiritual experience.
- The dangers of taking ecstasy were explained in the health class.
- Her performance captured the sublime ecstasy and profound despair of the human condition.
- The debate centred on the legalisation of ecstasy and its societal impact.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ECSTASY = ESCaping reAliTY into a state of supreme joy.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY IS A FORCE THAT LIFTS YOU UP (transported, rapturous), JOY IS A DRUG (intoxicating, high).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'экстаз' – while a direct cognate, the Russian word can more commonly imply a frenzied, hysterical, or even aggressive state, whereas English 'ecstasy' is overwhelmingly positive and focused on joy. Also, the drug sense is primary in modern informal English.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'extacy', 'ecstacy'. Incorrect part of speech: using as a verb ('he ecstasied' – NO). Using the drug sense in a formal context without clarification.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ecstasy' LEAST likely to be used formally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly yes, for the emotional sense. It describes supreme joy. The drug sense is neutral in terms of emotion (it induces pleasure) but negative in legal/health contexts.
'Ecstasy' implies a more intense, often transcendent or overwhelming state, sometimes with a loss of self-control. 'Euphoria' is a powerful feeling of well-being and excitement, but it can be more diffuse and less spiritually connotated.
Context is key. Formal, literary, artistic, or religious contexts point to the emotion. Informal conversations about parties, clubs, or illegal substances point to the drug. The capitalised form 'Ecstasy' often indicates the drug.
No, not in contemporary Standard English. The archaic verb 'ecstasize' exists but is obsolete. Use phrases like 'send into ecstasy' or 'be ecstatic'.