The Great Gatsby Vocabulary (Chapters 1-9)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions across Chapters 1 through 9 of The Great Gatsby.

Feign

To pretend or give a false appearance

Reproach

Disapproval or criticism; to criticize

Privy

Sharing in or knowing private information

Complacent

Excessively satisfied with oneself or one's situation

Supercilious

Behaving as though one is superior to others

Contemptuous

Showing strong disrespect or scorn

Intimation

An indirect suggestion or hint

Incredulous

Unwilling or unable to believe something

Pungent

Having a sharply strong smell, taste, or effect

Languidly

In a relaxed, weak, or unenergetic manner

Turbulent

Characterized by disorder, conflict, or instability

Grotesque

Distorted, unnatural, or strangely unpleasant

Effeminate

Having qualities traditionally associated with women rather than men

Transcendent

Going beyond ordinary limits or experience

Affected

Artificial or deliberately designed to impress

Discreet

Careful to avoid attracting attention or revealing private information

Impenetrable

Impossible to enter, see through, or understand

Incessant

Continuing without interruption

Haughtily

In a proudly superior or arrogant manner

Simultaneously

At the same time

Pastoral

Relating to an idealized rural or country setting

Permeate

To spread throughout or pass through something

Gaudy

Excessively bright, showy, or decorated

Prodigality

Reckless or excessive spending

Erroneous

Incorrect or mistaken

Cordial

Warm and friendly

Obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or behavior

Malevolence

The desire to cause harm or evil

Vehemently

With intense feeling or force

Ascertain

To discover or determine with certainty

Provincial

Unsophisticated or limited in outlook

Vacuous

Lacking intelligence, thought, or meaningful content

Impetuous

Acting suddenly without considering the consequences

Subterfuge

Deception used to conceal one's true purpose

Incoherent

Unclear, confused, or difficult to understand

Sporadic

Occurring irregularly or occasionally

Elicit

To draw out a response or information

Sinister

Suggesting evil, danger, or harm

Somber

Dark, serious, or gloomy

Juxtaposition

The placement of things close together for comparison or contrast

Retribution

Punishment given in return for wrongdoing

Presumptuous

Overly bold or confident without proper justification

Disconcerting

Causing uneasiness, confusion, or embarrassment

Nebulous

Vague, unclear, or poorly defined

Scrutinized

Examined closely and carefully

Defunct

No longer existing or functioning

Exultation

A feeling of triumphant joy

Vestige

A small remaining trace of something that once existed

Inconceivable

Impossible or extremely difficult to imagine

Laudable

Deserving praise or admiration

Insidious

Gradually causing harm in a subtle or hidden way

Meretricious

Attractive in a flashy but false or shallow way

Debauch

Excessive indulgence in pleasure; to corrupt through such indulgence

Ineffable

Too powerful or extraordinary to be expressed in words

Antecedent

Something that existed or occurred before something else

Elusive

Difficult to find, achieve, define, or understand

Contingency

A possible future event that must be prepared for

Ramifications

Consequences resulting from an action or decision

Euphemism

A mild expression substituted for one considered harsh or unpleasant

Tumultuous

Disorderly, confused, or emotionally intense

Portentous

Suggesting that something important or disastrous may happen

Vicarious

Experienced indirectly through another person

Rancor

Long-lasting bitterness or resentment

Truculent

Aggressively defiant or eager to fight

Magnanimous

Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival

Formidable

Inspiring fear or respect because of strength or difficulty

Inexplicable

Impossible or difficult to explain

Redolent

Strongly suggestive or reminiscent of something; fragrant

Corroborate

To confirm or support a statement with evidence

Fortuitous

Happening by chance

Garrulous

Excessively talkative

Amorphous

Lacking a definite form or clear structure

Profound

Very great, intense, or intellectually deep

Surmise

To form an idea without sufficient evidence; a guess

Orgastic

Intensely exciting or ecstatic

Superfluous

Unnecessary because more than enough already exists

Aesthetic

Concerned with beauty or artistic taste

Transitory

Temporary; lasting only a short time

Commensurate

Corresponding appropriately in size, degree, or proportion