Rapture: meaning, definitions and examples

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rapture

 

[หˆrรฆptสƒษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious belief

The feeling of great pleasure or happiness that some people believe they will experience when they are taken away to heaven after they die.

Synonyms

bliss, delight, ecstasy.

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Word Description / Examples
rapture

Used to describe a feeling of intense pleasure or joy, often associated with a sense of being completely absorbed or carried away by an overwhelming emotion. It can have a religious or spiritual connotation.

  • She was in rapture when she saw the stunning sunset over the ocean.
  • The audience listened in rapture to the symphony.
ecstasy

Describes an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement, often so intense that it can cause one to be out of touch with reality. It is sometimes associated with a state of euphoria or intense passion.

  • She was in ecstasy when she won the lottery.
  • The fans were in ecstasy during the band's encore performance.
bliss

Describes a state of perfect happiness or joy, often calm and enduring. It is frequently used to talk about peaceful or tranquil happiness.

  • They lived in bliss after their wedding.
  • A long walk on the beach brought her pure bliss.
delight

Refers to a strong feeling of happiness or satisfaction, typically caused by something pleasing or enjoyable. It is often used in everyday situations.

  • The children's faces lit up with delight when they saw the presents.
  • He took delight in preparing a special meal for his friends.

Examples of usage

  • The thought of rapture sustained her throughout the long journey.
  • She was overcome with rapture at the sight of her newborn baby.
  • The preacher spoke of the believers' imminent rapture.
  • The music filled her with a sense of rapture and peace.
Context #2 | Noun

literary

An expression of great joy or pleasure.

Synonyms

elation, euphoria, joy.

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Word Description / Examples
rapture

Rapture is often used in more intense or passionate settings, often with a deep, almost spiritual connotation. It's the feeling of being completely carried away or overwhelmed by emotion.

  • She was in rapture upon hearing the news of her promotion
  • The audience listened in rapture as the symphony played
euphoria

Euphoria describes an intense state of happiness and well-being, often to the point of seeming almost unreal. It is frequently used in medical or psychological contexts to describe an elevated mood.

  • The euphoria experienced after winning the lottery was indescribable
  • There is a sense of euphoria that sometimes accompanies the initial stages of falling in love
elation

Elation is a feeling of great happiness and excitement, but it is less intense than rapture. It is often used to describe a high level of joy associated with success or a positive event.

  • He felt a wave of elation when he crossed the finish line first
  • Her elation was evident after receiving the acceptance letter from her dream university
joy

Joy is a more general and commonly used term to describe a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It can be used in a wide range of situations, both big and small.

  • The children's faces were filled with joy as they played in the park
  • She found joy in the simple act of reading a good book

Examples of usage

  • Her face was a picture of rapture as she listened to the music.
  • The painting captured the rapture of the moment perfectly.
Context #3 | Noun

psychology

An intense feeling of deep love or admiration.

Synonyms

adoration, devotion, fervor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rapture

Use 'rapture' to express intense pleasure or joy, often of a more spiritual or transcendent nature.

  • She felt a sense of rapture while standing atop the mountain, looking at the sunset
adoration

Adoration is best used when describing deep love and respect for someone or something, often implying a worshipful quality.

  • The child's adoration for her mother was evident in her eyes
devotion

Devotion implies strong love and loyalty, often in the context of dedication to a cause, person, or belief.

  • Her devotion to teaching inspired all her students
fervor

Fervor is associated with strong and passionate feelings, often linked to enthusiasm or commitment.

  • He spoke about the project with such fervor that everyone in the room felt energized

Examples of usage

  • She gazed at him with rapture in her eyes.
  • The actor's performance was met with rapture from the audience.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'raptura', meaning 'seizing or carrying away', highlighting the intensity of the feeling.
  • Introduced to English in the late 14th century, it originally referred to a state of being carried away by strong emotions or joy.
  • Over time, it took on various meanings, including spiritual ecstasy and a deep sense of pleasure.

Cultural Significance

  • In Christian theology, 'rapture' refers to a belief that believers will be taken up to heaven, signifying ultimate joy and freedom.
  • Numerous artworks and music pieces capture the essence of this word, portraying moments of enlightenment or bliss, especially during the Romantic period.
  • Many modern music genres, especially electronic and pop, incorporate themes of rapture, connecting intense emotions to dance and celebration.

Psychology

  • The sensation of rapture can be linked to heightened emotional states, often releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine, which enhances feelings of pleasure.
  • Experiencing rapture is vital for creative processes, as it can lead to breakthroughs in how we think and feel.
  • Studies show that people who frequently experience ecstatic feelings often report a more fulfilling and engaged life.

Literature

  • Many poets use rapture to convey deep love or ecstatic joy, allowing readers to feel those heightened emotions alongside the characters.
  • Classic literature often portrays rapture in moments of revelation or transformation, serving as a pivotal point in charactersโ€™ journeys.
  • Mystical writings frequently describe rapture as a connection with divine or transcendent experiences, elevating humanityโ€™s understanding.

Music and Film

  • The term is often used in song lyrics to describe overwhelming love or passion, emphasizing emotional peaks in storytelling.
  • In cinematic experiences, scenes of rapture are typically paired with uplifting music and visuals, creating a powerful emotional response in viewers.
  • Famous moments of rapture in film often involve characters experiencing sudden clarity or euphoria, making them memorable to audiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "rapture" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น arrebatamento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคคเฅเคธเคพเคน

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Entrรผckung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kebahagiaan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐั…ะพะฟะปะตะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zachwyt

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆญ“ๅ–œ (ใ‹ใ‚“ใ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ravissement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ arrebato

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท vecd

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ™˜ํฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุดูˆุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vytrลพenรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vytrลพenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹‚ๅ–œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ekstaza

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gleรฐi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั‚ั‹า“ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒฆแƒขแƒแƒชแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ heyranlฤฑq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ arrebato

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,265, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.