rhapsody

[ rap-suh-dee ]

noun

, plural rhap·so·dies.

1. Music. an instrumental composition irregular in form and suggestive of improvisation.
2. an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm.
3. an epic poem, or a part of such a poem, as a book of the Iliad, suitable for recitation at one time.
4. a similar piece of modern literature.
5. an unusually intense or irregular poem or piece of prose.
6. Archaic. a miscellaneous collection; jumble.

rhapsody

/ ˈræpsədɪ /

noun

1. music a composition free in structure and highly emotional in character
2. an expression of ecstatic enthusiasm
3. (in ancient Greece) an epic poem or part of an epic recited by a rhapsodist
4. a literary work composed in an intense or exalted style
5. rapturous delight or ecstasy
6. obsolete.
   a medley

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhapsody¹

1535–45; < Latin rhapsōdia < Greek rhapsōidía recital of epic poetry, equivalent to rhapsōid ( ós ) rhapsodist + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhapsody¹

C16: via Latin from Greek rhapsōidia , from rhaptein to sew together + ōidē song

Example Sentences

And ‘rhapsody’ is the moment where the image hits the screen, where you’re taking a deep breath and you say, ‘What am I going to see?’

From Los Angeles Times

Today, the Heritage Foundation and the Conservative Partnership Institute are promoting the Hungarian rhapsody, as it were.

From Salon

Their meeting was almost poetic, a confluence of basketball eras, a rhapsody in sneakers.

From Los Angeles Times

His book has recipes, but really it’s an often funny rhapsody of awe at the joy allowed humans in the simple act of eating.

From New York Times

Clothes can send Sophie into a rhapsody like nothing else does.

From New York Times

Related Words

• arrangement
• concerto
• drama
• melody
• music
• piece
• poetry
• setup
• symphony
• theme
• tune
• writing