in rapture

USAGE SUMMARY

'in rapture' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression which means to feel extreme happiness or joy. For example, "After finally being accepted to his dream university, he was in rapture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Music

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Byrd is in rapture.

The New York Times

This bionic diabetic was in rapture.

The New York Times - Health

Unavoidably, we somehow collude in rapture of the image.

The Guardian - Arts

But she's in rapture – and in love again.

The Guardian - Music

In "Rapture," Lafrance and her company, SENS, crawl, leap, and rappel across the building's undulating façade.

The New Yorker

The male body in rapture dominates works by Christopher Rauschenberg, Jeff Davis and Charles Henri Ford.

The New York Times - Arts

"When you call out my name in rapture / I volunteer my soul for murder".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He's also in "Rapture-Palooza".

The New York Times

His opponents were in raptures.

The Guardian

Brighton fans were in raptures.

The Guardian - Sport

The room was in raptures.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in rapture" to vividly depict someone's overwhelming joy or fascination, particularly when describing artistic or spiritual experiences. This helps convey a depth of emotion that simpler terms might miss.

Common error

Avoid using "in rapture" when describing mild pleasure or simple happiness. This phrase is reserved for intense, almost transcendent experiences, and using it inappropriately can diminish its impact. Instead, use alternatives such as "very happy" or "pleased".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in rapture" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced, conveying a sense of intense joy or delight. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

20%

Music

15%

Less common in

Books

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in rapture" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It vividly describes a state of intense joy or fascination. Predominantly found in news, media, and arts contexts, it maintains a generally neutral register suitable for expressing strong emotions. While versatile, be mindful to reserve its usage for occasions when describing truly profound experiences to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "ecstatic" or "in ecstasy" can be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enraptured

Single word, very close in meaning, a more direct synonym.

in ecstasy

Uses a different noun to convey a similar sense of overwhelming joy.

in bliss

Emphasizes a state of perfect happiness and contentment.

ecstatic

Single word, describes an extremely happy state, more concise.

overjoyed

A simple and direct way to express great happiness.

utterly delighted

Emphasizes the feeling of delight, specifying it as complete.

enthralled

Implies being completely fascinated and charmed.

captivated

Focuses on being held spellbound or fascinated, rather than pure joy.

spellbound

Suggests being held under a magical influence, deeply fascinated.

completely fascinated

Highlights the element of fascination and complete absorption.

FAQs

How can I use "in rapture" in a sentence?

You can use "in rapture" to describe someone experiencing intense joy or delight. For example, "The audience listened "in rapture" as the orchestra played".

What's a good alternative to "in rapture"?

Alternatives to "in rapture" include "ecstatic", "in ecstasy", or "utterly delighted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in rapture" in formal writing?

Yes, "in rapture" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing artistic or emotional experiences. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of emotion.

What is the difference between "in rapture" and "enraptured"?

"In rapture" is a prepositional phrase that describes the state of being enraptured. "Enraptured" is an adjective that describes someone who is experiencing rapture. The phrase can work as well.