rapture
RAP-chur
/ˈræp.tʃər/
A feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
Suggests an overwhelming state where one is emotionally swept away or transported spiritually.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'rapere' (to snatch away). The root idea is being bodily or mentally seized and transported into another realm of feeling.
Word relationships
- bliss: 'Bliss' is peaceful happiness; 'rapture' is intense, intoxicating emotion.
- agony: 'Agony' refers to intense physical or mental pain.
Commonly confused with
- rupture: 'Rupture' means a break or burst, totally distinct from 'rapture'.
Word family
- rapturous (adjective): Feeling or expressing great joy or enthusiasm.
- rapt (adjective): Completely fascinated or absorbed.
Collocations
- in rapture
- gaze with rapture
- rapture of love
- unending rapture
Idioms & expressions
- carried away
Example sentences
- "The audience listened in rapture as the violinist played the final crescendo." Literary scene listening to music
Memory hook
RAPTURE — RAPT by beauty, snatched up into absolute bliss. Snatched away by total joy.
When not to use
Do not use for routine everyday happiness.
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'rapere' is shared by words that seem unrelated at first, including 'rapid' (moving fast) and 'raptor' (a bird of prey).
Explore more words
enthusiastic, elated, exhilarate, exhilarating, exuberant, absorption
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