rhapsody
noun · verb
Simple meaning
An enthusiastic expression of emotion.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
rapsuhdeeSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɹæpsədi
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
An enthusiastic expression of emotion
by extensionsometimes with a negative connotation
An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing.
by extensionmusic
An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation.
verb
transitive
To say (something) with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.
intransitive
Followed by about, on, over, or upon: to speak with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: An enthusiastic expression of emotion
Used this way, rhapsody is a reasonably familiar word with a clearly warm, approving pull. It carries warmth, so it reads as personal rather than detached.
- Emotional tone
- Positive
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Gentle
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Keen and enthusiastic
- Usage feel
- Warm and expressive
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use rhapsody
- “The musician played a beautiful rhapsody on the piano.”
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Common Patterns and Combinations
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.