3 syllables: Ec, sta, sy. Stress on Ec.
EK-stuh-see
/ˈɛkstəsi/
Ecstasy is pronounced EK-stuh-see (/ˈɛkstəsi/). It has three syllables (Ec-sta-sy), with the stress on "Ec". Ecstasy (noun) refers to an overwhelming sense of joy, rapture, or intense emotion, often accompanied by physical arousal or heightened consciousness. It can describe a deep, almost intoxicating delight or a trance-like state. The term is used in both secular and religious contexts, as well as in literature and psychology, to denote peak emotional or sensory experiences.
nounEcstasy (noun) refers to an overwhelming sense of joy, rapture, or intense emotion, often accompanied by physical arousal or heightened consciousness. It can describe a deep, almost intoxicating delight or a trance-like state. The term is used in both secular and religious contexts, as well as in literature and psychology, to denote peak emotional or sensory experiences.
"Her victory brought her to a state of ecstasy that she had never felt before."
"The crowd erupted in ecstasy as the final score was announced."
"In the peak of meditation, many report a calmness bordering on ecstasy."
You pronounce it as ihk-STAT-see (US) or ihk-STEY-see (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the second syllable: /ɪkˈstæsi/ (US) or /ɪkˈsteɪsi/ (UK/AU). Start with a short “ih” sound, then a clear /k/ release, then the stressed /ˈstæ/ or /ˈsteɪ/ before the final /si/. Visualize saying “ick” + “STAT” + “see.” Practicing this with a slow rhythm helps; use audio references to lock in the vowels and exact consonant timings.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying /ɪkˈæstəsi/ or /ˈɛkstəsi/), mispronouncing the vowel in the second syllable (confusing /æ/ with /eɪ/ or /aɪ/), and slurring the final /si/ into /si/ or /si-z/ when it should be a crisp /si/. To correct: stress the second syllable with a full vowel /æ/ or /eɪ/, open the jaw slightly for /æ/ or /eɪ/, and finish with a clean, unvoiced /s/ followed by /i/ without extra consonants. Listening to native speakers and mimicking the rhythm will help avoid these mistakes.
In US English, /ɪkˈstæsi/ with a short 'a' in the stressed syllable and a lighter final /i/. In UK English, /ɪkˈsteɪsi/ or /ɪkˈstæsi/, with a longer vowel in the second syllable and stronger non-rhoticity affecting the /r/ absent anyway. Australian tends to be /ɪkˈsteɪsi/ or /ɪkˈstæsi/ with some vowel flattening and smoother /eɪ/ in the second syllable. The rhotic presence is not relevant in ecstasy; focus on vowel quality differences (steɪ vs sta) and final /si/ timing.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of sounds: a clipped initial /ɪk/ leading into a stressed, high-contrast vowel in the second syllable, and ending with a clean /si/ without extra vowel or consonant jewelry. The mid-stressed syllable can vary between /stæ/ and /steɪ/ depending on the speaker; the /t/ can be aspirated or flapped in rapid speech, which can blur the stress cue. Mastery requires precise vowel articulation, timing, and a steady final /si/.
A unique aspect is maintaining crisp syllable boundaries with a clear, short /ɪ/ in the initial 'e-' and then transitioning to a strong, rounded /æ/ or /eɪ/ in the stressed second syllable. The chain /ɪk/ to /ˈstæ/ or /ˈsteɪ/ demands precise tongue retraction and jaw positioning; avoid coalescing the second syllable with the first. Also ensure the final /si/ is not softened to /z/ in careful speech.
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US: /ɪkˈstæsi/ with a shorter second vowel and crisper /t/. UK/AU: /ɪkˈsteɪsi/ or /ɪkˈstæsi/, the second syllable often lengthened to /eɪ/ and vowel quality is slightly more rounded. Rhoticity is not a factor; focus on the vowel quality in the stressed syllable and the non-rhotic trailing consonant. In all accents, ensure a clean /s/ before /i/ with minimal voicing. IPA references: US /ɪkˈstæsi/, UK/AU /ɪkˈsteɪsi/ or /ɪkˈstæsi/.
Ecstasy comes from the late Latin ecstaticus, from Greek ekstasis meaning ‘a standing outside oneself,’ from ek- ‘out’ + histanai ‘to set up, place.’ In ancient Greek philosophy and religion, ekstasis described a standing outside one’s ordinary self, often in trance or transport. The term entered English in the 16th century through Latin sources, initially tied to religious trance, then expanding to describe overwhelming happiness or excitement. Over time, ecstasy broadened beyond strictly religious contexts to encompass intense elation, sensory overload, or states of extreme enthusiasm in literature, music, and everyday speech. The noun form gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as Romantic literature celebrated heightened emotion, while in modern usage it also appears in psychology and drug-related discussions, reflecting both its historical gravity and contemporary colloquial nuance. The evolution includes connotations of transcendence and separation from ordinary experience, with modern usage balancing poetic, musical, and experiential emphasis. First known uses appear in classical texts that discuss altered states of consciousness, then appear in English translations of Greek writings and later in Romantic poetry to describe ecstatic experiences at the peak of emotion or inspiration.
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Words that rhyme with "Ecstasy"
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