Ecstatic

Ecstatic is an adjective that describes a state of intense happiness, exaltation, or overwhelming emotional arousal. It can refer to a moment of great joy, elation, or excitement, and is sometimes associated with a trance-like or heightened emotional intensity. The related adverb is ecstatically, and the noun form ecstasy refers to the feeling itself or to a state of being in such a mood. In everyday use, ecstatic can describe individuals, events, or expressions—such as someone being ecstatic about good news or a performance receiving ecstatic applause.

Etymology traces ecstatic to the Greek ekstasis, literally “a standing outside oneself,” from ek- (out) and histan (to cause to stand). The term entered English through Latin and later influenced religious and literary senses, where it often conveyed an intense, sometimes transcendent, experience beyond ordinary emotion.

Usage and nuance: Ecstatic conveys stronger emotion than simply joyful or pleased and can imply a relief, triumph, or spiritual rapture. It is common in literary and journalistic writing to characterize reactions to significant achievements, revelations, or moments of beauty. In religious contexts, it may describe mystic or visionary experiences; in secular use, it frequently denotes exuberant celebration or overwhelming enthusiasm. The term should be chosen when the speaker intends a sense of profound or transformative joy, rather than ordinary gladness or enthusiasm.