rhapsody

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablemusic

   A piece of music with a free form and strong, often passionate emotion.

   Grammar: Countable: a rhapsody, two rhapsodies. Often used in titles, e.g., Hungarian Rhapsody.

   Patterns

   • a rhapsody for piano
   • a rhapsody by someone

   The orchestra played a rhapsody full of sudden changes in mood and tempo.

   Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue blends jazz and classical styles.

   She performed a lively rhapsody for solo violin.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   An expression of great enthusiasm or exaggerated praise in speech or writing.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'a rhapsody of praise' or 'go into rhapsodies about something'.

   Patterns

   • a rhapsody of praise
   • go into rhapsodies about something

   The critic wrote a rhapsody of praise for the young director's first film.

   He went into rhapsodies about the food, calling it the best meal of his life.

Word forms

Common combinations

go into rhapsodies

She went into rhapsodies over the new design.

a rhapsody of praise

The review was a rhapsody of praise from start to finish.

Hungarian Rhapsody

Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 is famous for its dramatic ending.

Rhapsody in Blue

They played Rhapsody in Blue at the concert.

Synonyms and how they differ

paean

Paean is a formal word for a song or speech of high praise, often religious or ceremonial.

eulogy

Eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone highly, especially at a funeral.

Word family

rhapsodic adjective

Showing great enthusiasm or praise; ecstatic.

rhapsodize verb

To speak or write with great enthusiasm about something.

Commonly confused: rhapsody or rapacity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rhapsody”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words