The Great Gatsby Vocabulary - Sophomore April 2026

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards for Chapters 1 through 9 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, organized by chapter and general concepts.

Vitality (General Concept)

A deeper, more fundamental capacity to live, grow, and develop. It relates to robust health, "life force," and the actual, tangible energy one possesses.

Jauntiness (General Concept)

A demeanor or style—the way one carries themselves. It is associated with light-heartedness, briskness, and a cheerful disposition.

privy

sharing in the knowledge of (something secret or private)

Feign

to pretend to be affected by or give the appearance of; to fake a feeling, state or injury

Marred

spoil, ruin, detract from

Riotous

unruly, rowdy, marked by public disorder

Fractiousness

the tendency to be troublesome and quarrelsome

Wistfulness

a feeling of yearning or desire, characterized by melancholy, longing or pensiveness.

Imperceptible

subtle, faint, or unnoticeable; not easily perceived for figured out

Sophisticated

highly complicated or developed; having, revealing, or behaving from a great deal of worldly experience or knowledge

Vitality (Chapter 2)

the quality of being lively, strong, and full of energy

Obscure

dark, dim; unclear and not readily seen

Deft

skillful and quick in movement

Erroneous

characterized by error

Jauntiness (Chapter 3)

the state of having high spirits and a confident approach to life

Subterfuge

deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal

Bootlegger

someone who sold alcohol illegally during Prohibition

Punctilious

showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

Gaudily

extravagantly and tastelessly; in a way that is excessively showy.

Confounding

perplexing and amazing; especially due to a sudden disturbance or surprise.

Exultation

a feeling of triumphant joy.

Notoriety

state of being famous, especially for something bad

Reveries

absent-minded daydreams

Intermittent

occurring occasionally or at regular or irregular intervals; periodic

Alight

to encounter or notice something accidentally

Explicable

possible to explain

Incessantly

Continuing without pause or interruption

Tactful

Polite

Grotesque

Repulsive, ugly or distorted

Superfluous

more than what is needed; unnecessary

Reverent

feeling or showing deep and solemn respect

Transitory

not permanent