rhapsody

/ˈɹapsədi/

Group 31Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(noun)
An effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling; a free-flowing musical composition
GRE

Example in Context

The critic's review was a rhapsody of praise, declaring the performance to be the finest of the season by a considerable margin.

Synonyms

praiseecstasydelight

Etymology

A stitched-together song of ecstatic emotion and enthusiasm.

  • rhaptein (Greek) — to stitch
  • ode (Greek) — song

Memory Aid

🎶Sounds like “raps-ody

A rapper who is so ecstatic about his rhymes that he breaks into a dramatic song — it’s pure RHAPSODY!

Visual Association

🎤A grand performance with a musician passionately singing to a captivated audience, lost in the moment.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “rhapsody” mean on the GRE?

rhapsody (noun) means “An effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling; a free-flowing musical composition”. The critic's review was a rhapsody of praise, declaring the performance to be the finest of the season by a considerable margin.

How to remember “rhapsody” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “rhapsody” sounds like “raps-ody”. A rapper who is so ecstatic about his rhymes that he breaks into a dramatic song — it’s pure RHAPSODY!

What are synonyms for “rhapsody”?

Common synonyms: praise, ecstasy, delight.