THE GREAT GATSBY VOCABULARY
contemptuously/contemptuous:
CHAPTER 1
reserved: adj. - formal or self-
restrained in manner and
relationship; avoiding familiarity or
intimacy with others: a quiet,
reserved man.
privy: adj. - participating in the
knowledge of something private or
secret (usually fol. by to): Many
persons were privy to the plot.
feign: v – to make believe; pretend
levity: n - a manner lacking
seriousness
mar: v – to damage, ruin, deface
abortive: adj. - partially or imperfectly
developed; vain
elation: n - a feeling or state of great
joy or pride; exultant gladness; high
spirits
confer: v – 1. to bestow upon as a gift,
favor, honor; 2. to consult together
acute: adj. – sharp; intense
savor: v – to taste or smell
reproach: n – an object of scorn or
contempt
wistfully/wistful: adv/adj – full of
wishful yearning or longing, often
with sadness supercilious: adj. –
having or showing arrogant
superiority to and disdain of those
one views as unworthy; cocky
effeminate: adj. – having traits, tastes
or habits traditionally considered
feminine
pungent: adj. – sharply affecting the
organs of taste or smell
buoy: v – to float or rise by reason of
lightness
divan: n – sofa or couch, usually
without arms or a back
compulsion: n – a strong, usually
irresistible impulse to perform an act,
esp. one that is irrational or contrary
to one's will
deft: adj. – quick and skillful
retort: v – to reply to, usually in a
sharp or retaliatory way
incredulously/incredulous: adv/adj –
skeptical; disbelieving
reciprocal: adj. – given or felt by each
toward the other; mutual
proprietor: n - property owner;
adv/adj – showing or feeling
disapproval or disdain toward
something a person considers mean,
vile, or worthless; scornful
languidly/languid: adv./adj. – lacking
energy or vitality; weak
unobtrusively/unobtrusive: adv./adj.
– Not undesirably noticeable or
obvious
claret: n – the red table wine
produced in the Bordeaux region of
France
fervent: adj. – having or showing
great warmth or intensity of spirit,
feeling, enthusiasm
infinitesimal: adj. – immeasurably
small; less than an assignable quantity
vigil: n - a devotional watching, or
keeping awake, during the customary
hours of sleep
settee: n – a seat for two or more
persons, having a back and arms
cynical: adj. – distrusting, criticizing,
or mocking the motives of others;
pessimistic; glass is half empty
mentality
rotogravure: n – a print made by a
photomechanical process using a
copper cylinder
corroborate: v – to make more
certain; confirm
libel: n - a false publication, as in
writing, print, signs, or pictures, that
damages a person's reputation
banns: n – any public anncement of a
proposed marriage
intimation/intimate: n/v - an indirect
suggestion; a slight suggestion or
vague understanding
CHAPTER 2
Grotesque:adj. - fantastically ugly or
absurd; bizarre
Impenetrable: adj. - dense; cannot be
penetrated, pierced, entered, etc.
wild wag:n - witty person who likes to
make jokes
oculist: n - eye doctor
borough of Queens: n - district—N.Y.
City is divided up into boroughs
solemn: adj. - formal; serious; sober;
lacking humor or happiness
business manager
anemic: adj. - weak; lacking power,
vigor, vitality; wishy-washy **the
spelling has changed since Fitzgerald’s
time
facet or gleam of beauty: n - aspect,
feature
perceptible: adj. - noticeable;
recognizable
vitality: n - liveliness; energy (physical
and/or mental); spirit; vigor
smoldering: adj. - burning ** the
spelling has changed since Fitzgerald’s
time
discreet: adj. - marked by caution,
prudence, or modesty and wise self-
restraint; subtle
defer: v - to yield respectfully in
judgment or opinion to another
[usually followed by “to”; ex: Because
she is an accountant, I defer to my
mom on questions regarding my
taxes.
muslin: n - delicately woven cotton
fabric
indeterminate: adj. - indefinite,
uncertain; not clear
haughty: adj. - snooty; arrogant
countenance: n - appearance,
especially the face
rakish: adj. - Dashingly or sportingly
stylish
incessant: adj. - never-ending;
ceaseless
innumerable: adj. - countless; very
numerous
immoderately: adv. - without
restraint; excessive; extreme
flat: n - apartment
shrill: adj. - high-pitched
impressive hauteur/haughty: n -
pride, arrogance; cockiness adj. –
cocky, snobby
high mincing shout: adj. - dainty,
elegant
disdain: v – to despise or scorn; n –
haughty contempt, extreme dislike;
scorn
shiftless: adj. - lazy, without ambition
flounce: - to go with impatient or
impetuous, exaggerated movements
kike/kyke: n - offensive slang for a
Jewish person
strident: adj. - loud, harsh, grating, or
shrill
a wave: n - women’s hairdo from the
1920s that created waves in the hair
CHAPTER 3
Omnibus:n - a bus or long motor
vehicle
fortnight:n - fourteen nights--two
weeks
harlequin:adj- fancy variation in color
Castile: proper n - allusion to former
kingdom of Spain
Permeate: v – to fill up, seep into; to
saturate
Innuendo: n - an indirect hint or
suggestion about a person or thing,
especially of an insulting or an
offensive nature
spilled with prodigality:n -
extravagant wastefulness
moving her hands like Frisco: n -
allusion to famous pianist Rocky
Frisco
erroneous:adj- incorrect; wrong
Gilda Gray: proper n - famous actress
known for her dance move “the
shimmy” seen in the Follies (a
theatrical revue of song and dance)
eddies: plural n - a current moving in
the opposite direction of the main
current. [Fitz uses as metaphor –
“eddies of people I didn’t know”]
vehement/vehemently:adj/adv -
strongly passionate or emotion; often
with anger
cordial: adj- friendly; warm
homogeneity (p. 44/49) n -
uniformity; being similar
spectroscopic:adj- full spectrum of
color and light
veranda:n - a porch or balcony
Gothic library:adj- literature genre
known for gloom, darkness, and the
supernatural
Ascertain: v - to determine; to make
certain or clear
Belasco: allusion to fictional sorcerer
with a wide knowledge of spells
Contralto:n - lowest female vocal
range in opera
Vacuous:adj– empty; lacking ideas or
intelligence; stupid
florid (p. 48/53) adj. – 1) a healthy
reddish color—as in cheeks; 2)
elaborately ornate
corpulent:adj- plump; large or bulky
in body
echolalia:n – immediate,
uncontrollable repetition of words
spoken by others
jauntiness/jaunty:n/adj- perky;
confident; carefree
obstetrical: adj- relating to childbirth
implore:v - to beg urgently
ineptly/inept: adv/adj- lacking skill;
awkward; clumsy
vinous:adj- relating to wine
asunder: adv - separated into pieces;
apart from each other
dissension: n - disagreement;
difference of opinion
deplorable/deplorably: adjective/adv
- causing grief, regret, or disapproval
indignant:adj- angry; annoyed
malevolence:n - a desire to harm
others; evil
long duster:n - a long coat designed
to protect clothing from dust
caterwauling horns:adj- a howl that
sounds like a cat in heat
chasms:n - deep crack or hole;
metaphor comparing NYC streets to a
crack or hole
subterfuge:n - a plan that hides the
real purpose; a deceptive scheme
insolent:adj- boldly rude;
disrespectful
CHAPTER 4
Bootlegger:n - someone who sells
smuggled goods illegally —in the ‘20s
it was alcohol
Disintegrate:v - to decay; decompose;
break up
Knickerbockers:n - loose-fitting pants
that gathered at or below the knee
Sporadic: adj - periodic; random;
happening at irregular intervals:
Punctilious: adj - painstaking;
meticulous; strict attention to minute
details
Disconcerting: adj - confusing;
disturbing; causing emotional
disturbance
indecisively/indecisive (p. 64/69)
adv./adj - hesitantly; uncertain;
unable to make a decision
evasion: n - avoiding something
unpleasant; escaping
retribution: n - something justly
deserved; taking revenge or
correcting a wrong
sinister: adj - evil; bad; wicked
rajah: n - an Indian king, prince, or
chief
threadbare: adj - shabby; thin; worn
off
incredulity:n - inability or
unwillingness to believe; skeptical
girders:n - large beams that support a
building
anteroom:n – an entry room or
waiting area
somnambulatory/somnambulance:
adj/n - sleepwalking
juxtaposition:n - placing two or more
things side by side to emphasize the
link or contrast
succulent: adj – 1) juicy; 2) rich in
desirable qualities
roadster: n - small, open-topped
sports car
effectual/effectually: adj./adv. -
capable of producing a desired effect;
adequate
CHAPTER 5
elongating [usually elongated]: adj:
extended; lengthened
tactless: adj: lacking or showing a lack
of what is fitting and considerate in
dealing with others
obliged: v - to place under a debt of
gratitude for some benefit, favor, or
service. (ex: I'm much obliged for the
ride.)
scrutinize:v: to examine in detail with
careful or critical attention.
Harrowed: adj: distressed
ecstatic: adj: of, pertaining to, or
characterized by ecstasy; rapturous
tonic: n: anything invigorating
physically, mentally, or morally
defunct: adj: no longer in effect or
use; not operating or functioning
demoniac: adj: of, pertaining to, or
like a demon; demonic
Kant: German philosopher who was
said to have been in the habit of
looking at a steeple when he was
thinking
Obstinate: adj: Stubbornly adhering
to an attitude, opinion, or course of
action; stubborn
vestigen: a mark, trace, or visible
evidence of something that is no
longer present or in existence
exultation: n - The act or condition of
rejoicing greatly
postern: n - a private entrance or any
entrance other than the main one
jonquil:n - a narcissus; a fragrant,
yellow or white flower
hawthorn: n - any of numerous plants
belonging to the rose family
swathe: v - to wrap up closely or fully
disheveled: adj - hanging loosely or in
disorder; unkempt; untidy
garnish:v - to provide or supply with
something ornamental; to adorn or
decorate
disarray:n - disorder; confusion
corrugated: adj - shaped into
alternating parallel grooves and
ridges; wrinkled
pompadour: n - an arrangement of a
man's hair in which it is brushed up
high from the forehead
scanty: adj - lacking in amount,
quantity; meager; not adequate
nebulous: adj - hazy, vague, indistinct,
or confused
remote: adj - far apart; far off; distant
CHAPTER 6
Transpire:v - to occur; happen; take
place
Laudable: adj: deserving praise;
praiseworthy; commendable
Insidious: adj - attractive or enticing
but harmful; intended to entrap
Meretricious: adj - alluring by a show
of flashy or vulgar attractions
Ineffable: adj - Incapable of being
expressed; indescribable or
unutterable
Robust: adj - strong and healthy;
hardy; vigorou
ramification:n - a development or
consequence that complicates a
situation
turgid: adj - Excessively ornate or
complex in style or language
repose:v - to lie or be at rest, as from
work, activity, etc.
florid adj - reddish; ruddy; rosy
debauchee:n - a person addicted to
excessive indulgence in sensual
pleasures; one given to debauchery.
Antecedent: n - the history, events,
characteristics, etc., of one's earlier
life
Ingratiate: v - to establish (oneself) in
the favor or good graces of others,
esp. by deliberate effort (usually fol.
by with)
Senile: adj - showing a decline or
deterioration of physical strength or
mental functioning
Perturbed: adj - disturbed greatly;
uneasy; anxious
Eptic: adj - infected
Lethargic: adj - drowsy; sluggish; lazy
Euphemism: n - an inoffensive or
indirect expression that is substituted
for one that is considered offensive or
too harsh (ex: “To pass away” is a
euphemism for “to die.”)
Obtrusive: adj - Tending to push self-
assertively forward; brash
Menagerie:n - a collection of wild or
unusual animals, or an unusual and
varied group of people
Dilatory: adj - tending to delay or
procrastinate; slow; tardy
CHAPTER 7
Trimalchio: the lavish host in The
Satyricon, a Latin work by Petronius
Dilatory: adj - tending to delay or
procrastinate; slow; tardy
Caravansary: n - any large inn or hotel
Harrowing: adj - extremely disturbing
or distressing; grievous
Commutation: n - the act of
commuting, as to and from a place of
work
Affront: n - a personally offensive act
or word; deliberate act or display of
disrespect; intentional slight; insult
Croon: v - to sing or hum in a soft,
soothing voice
genial(ly): adj/adv - warmly and
pleasantly cheerful; cordial
refuse [REF-yoos]: n - (not the v):
something that is discarded as
worthless or useless; rubbish; trash;
garbage
boisterous(ly): adj - rough and noisy;
noisily jolly or rowdy; unrestrained
medium:n - a person through whom
the spirits of the dead are alleged to
be able to contact the living
alight(ed): v - to encounter or notice
something accidentally
inviolate: adj - free from violation,
injury, desecration, or outrage
precipitate(ly): adj - proceeding
rapidly or with great haste
tumultuous: adj - raising a great
clatter and commotion; disorderly or
noisy
intermittent: adj - Stopping and
starting at intervals
portentous: adj - of momentous or
ominous significance; ominously
prophetic
vicarious(ly): adj - Felt or undergone
as if one were taking part in the
experience or feelings of another
octave: n - in music, a series or range
of eight notes
rancor: n - bitter resentment or ill will;
hatred; malice ** the spelling has
changed since Fitzgerald’s time
leave in the lurch: n - to leave in an
uncomfortable or desperate situation;
desert in time of trouble
magnanimous: adj - generous in
forgiving an insult or injury; free from
petty resentfulness or the need to
seek retribution
presumptuous: adj - Going beyond
what is right or proper; excessively
forward; impolitely bold
inquest: n - an inquiry into the cause
of an unexpected death
expostulation: n - the act of
expressing earnest opposition or
protest
laden: adj - burdened; loaded down
truculent: adj - fierce; cruel; savagely
brutal
luminosity: n - the quality or
condition of radiating or reflecting
light
Rift: n: an opening made by splitting,
cleaving, etc.
CHAPTER 8
Indiscernible: adj - impossible to see
or understand
Redolent: adj:1) with a strong,
pleasant, or particular scent; 2)
suggestive or reminiscent of
something
ravenous/ravenously (p.149/156)
adj./adv: extremely hungry or greedy
for something
unscrupulous/unscrupulously:
adj/adv - not restrained by moral or
ethical principles; dishonest; corrupt
stratum:n - a social class or level of
society consisting of people or similar
cultural, economic, or educational
status
whim: n - a sudden thought, idea, or
desire—especially one based on
impulse rather than reason
Armistice: proper n - the truce that
ended WWI on Nov. 11, 1918
Sharper: n - a skillful cheat, especially
in gambling
day coach n: an ordinary railroad
passenger car, as distinguished from a
sleeping car, parlor car, or other
deluxe accommodations
Vestibule: n - 1) an enclosed area at
the entrance of a railroad car; 2) a
small room/hall between an outer
door and the main part of the building
Benediction:n - 1) an expression or
approval of good wishes; 2) a prayer
asking for God’s blessing, usually at
the end of a service
Corroborate:v - to give or represent
evidence of the truth of something; to
confirm or substantiate
ecstatic adj - 1) showing or feeling
great pleasure or delight; 2)
completely dominated by an intense
emotion
cahoots: informal plural n:
questionable collaboration; secret
partnership
divot:n - a small lump of grass and
earth accidentally dug out of the
ground while playing a sport,
especially golf
tactful: adj - having or showing
concern upsetting or offending
people; polite; sensitive to the
feelings of others
garrulous: adj - 1) excessively or
pointlessly talkative; 2) using too
many words
lapped: past tense of v lap -1) to drink
a liquid by scooping into the mouth
with the tongue; 2) to flow or splash Bulbous: adj - bulb-shaped; bulging
gently against the surface Elocution: n - a person's manner of
forlorn: adj - 1) lonely and miserable speaking or reading aloud in public
as though deserted or abandoned; 2) El Greco: Greek-born Spanish painter
expressing hopelessness and despair of religious works, such as Christ
pneumatic: adj - 1) operated by Stripped of His Garments (1579) and
compressed air in a tool or machine; Assumption (1577), characterized by
2) filled with compressed air; 3) elongated human figures, contrasting
concerning or involving the soul or colors, and deep shadows.
spirit Sullen: adj - showing irritation or ill
fortuitous/fortuitously: adj/adv - 1) humor by a gloomy silence or reserve
happening by accident or chance; 2) lustreless [British spelling; American
lucky or fortunate spelling: lusterless]: adj - lacking in
amorphous: adj - without any clear brightness, sparkle, or sheen
shape, form, or structure; 2) not Pander: v - To cater to the lower
obviously belonging to any particular tastes and desires of others or to
category or type exploit their weaknesses
corrugate: v - to become folded into Aesthetic: adj - Of or concerning the
parallel ridges and channels, or to fold appreciation of beauty or good taste
something—like cardboard—into commensurate: adj - corresponding
parallel ridges and channels in amount, magnitude, or degree;
holocaust: n - 1) complete mass proportionate; adequate
destruction of any kind; 2) complete orgastic: adj - intense or unrestrained
consumption by fire—especially of a excitement
large number of human beings or elude:v - to avoid or escape by speed,
animals; 3) a sacrifice totally cleverness, trickery, etc.; to evade
consumed by fire
CHAPTER 9
Adventitious: adj - Occurring
accidentally or spontaneously
racy: adj - slightly improper or
indelicate
pasquinade:n - a satire or lampoon,
esp. one posted in a public place
deranged: adj - driven insane
Surmise: [In the novel surmise is used
as a n, but usually it is used as a v, so
that is the part of speech we will go
with.] V: to think or infer without
certain or strong evidence;
conjecture; guess
Superfluous: adj - being more than is
sufficient or required; excessive
Addenda: plural of addendum) n -
things to be added; an addition
Ulster:n - A loose, long overcoat
made of heavy, rugged fabric and
often belted
Sparse: adj - not thick or dense; thin
James J. Hill:Railroad tycoon (1838-
1916) who lived in St. Paul,
Minnesota, Fitzgerald’s hometown
Ejaculate: v - to utter suddenly and
briefly; exclaim