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ecstatic

ik-STAT-ik /ɪkˈstæt.ɪk/

adjectiveB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

neutralliterary

Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness, joyful excitement, or rapture.

Implies an intense, intense rush of joy that almost takes a person out of their normal mental state.

The story behind the word. From Greek 'ekstasis', where 'ek' means 'out' and 'stasis' means 'standing'. Ancient Greeks used it to describe a mind displaced from its normal state by divine inspiration or intense emotion.

Word relationships

elated: 'Elated' emphasizes feeling lifted up high, whereas 'ecstatic' suggests being overpowered by excitement.
euphoric: 'Euphoric' often has a physical or chemical sense of well-being, while 'ecstatic' focuses on emotional rapture.

despondent: 'Despondent' means completely lacking hope or cheer.

Commonly confused with

enthusiastic: 'Enthusiastic' means eager and interested; 'ecstatic' means overwhelming joy.

Word family

ecstasy (noun): A state of overwhelming joy or excitement.
ecstatically (adverb): In an ecstatic manner.

Collocations

ecstatic crowd
ecstatic applause
ecstatic response
absolutely ecstatic

Idioms & expressions

on cloud nine
over the moon

Example sentences

"She was ecstatic when she heard the news of her promotion after years of dedicated effort." Literature citation describing intense emotion
"He was ecstatic, lost in a sudden rush of unbridled joy." Real historical literary quote

Memory hook

ECSTATIC sounds like EXTRA STATIC — like electricity surging through you with sheer excitement. Out of your mind with sheer joy.

When not to use

Do not use for mild or quiet satisfaction; it implies intense outward excitement.

Fun facts

In ancient Greek medical texts, 'ekstasis' referred to trance states or moments when the soul seemed to leave the physical body.

Related words

euphoric, elated, rapture

Explore more words

exhilarating, elated, exuberant, enthusiastic, exhilarate, whoop