rapture
C1Formal / Literary / Religious
Definition
Meaning
A feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
In Christian eschatology, the transporting of believers to heaven at the Second Coming of Christ.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; denotes an overwhelming emotional or spiritual state. Often implies a temporary, ecstatic departure from normal consciousness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use it in secular (ecstatic joy) and religious (the Rapture) contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes an almost transcendent, pure joy. In American English, the theological sense might be more immediately recognized due to its prevalence in certain evangelical circles.
Frequency
The word is relatively low-frequency in everyday speech but stable in both varieties. The theological sense is more common in American religious discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be + in + rapture][listen/watch + with + rapture][N + of + rapture]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In raptures (over/about something): Extremely pleased or excited.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in hyperbolic marketing: 'Customers were in raptures over the new design.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, theology, and philosophy to describe states of transcendence or extreme aesthetic response.
Everyday
Describes a powerful, positive emotional reaction: 'She watched the sunset in complete rapture.'
Technical
Specific theological term in Christian eschatology for a future event.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic/poetic) 'He raptured at the very thought.'
- (Archaic) 'Her beauty raptured all who beheld her.'
American English
- (Archaic/poetic) 'The music raptured her soul.'
- (Archaic) 'He was raptured by the vision.'
adverb
British English
- (Non-standard) Not used.
American English
- (Non-standard) Not used.
adjective
British English
- (Rare, from 'rapt') 'She had a rapture expression.'
American English
- (Rare, from 'rapt') 'His rapture gaze was fixed on the horizon.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children were in rapture at the circus.
- She listened to the symphony with obvious rapture.
- The critic wrote that the film's final scene left the audience in a state of pure rapture.
- The theological concept of the Rapture is a central tenet of their eschatological beliefs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of being CAPTURED (rapt-ure) by an overwhelmingly good feeling.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY IS A FORCE THAT LIFTS YOU (up) / JOY IS A HEAVENLY STATE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'восторг' for mild happiness; 'rapture' is much stronger. The religious term 'the Rapture' is often translated as 'восхищение церкви' or 'восхищение святых', distinct from 'rapture' as an emotion.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for mild pleasure (overstatement). Confusing 'rapture' (emotion/event) with 'rupture' (a break).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'rapture' in its core meaning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb form is archaic or poetic. The adjective 'rapt' (meaning fully absorbed) is the more common related form.
They are very close synonyms. 'Rapture' can sound more literary or spiritual, while 'ecstasy' is slightly more general and can also refer to a drug.
It's an idiom meaning 'extremely delighted'. Example: 'My mother was in raptures over the flowers you sent.'
Yes, when capitalized ('the Rapture'), it specifically refers to the Christian belief. Without capitalization, it refers to the general feeling of intense joy.
Collections
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Nuanced Emotions
C2 · 48 words · Precise vocabulary for complex emotional states.
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