The Great Gatsby Vocabulary

Flashcards for The Great Gatsby vocabulary.

affectation

an effort to appear to have a quality that one does not actually possess; a conspicuously artificial manner or way of speaking or behaving

colossal

extraordinarily great in size, extent, or degree

contempt

the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; the state of being despised

cynical

distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; showing contempt for accepted standards of morality or honesty; pessimistic

desolate

barren or devastated; deserted or uninhabited; solitary or lonely

elation

a feeling or state of great joy or pride

erroneous

containing error; mistaken; straying from what is moral or decent

fractious

unruly, irritable, or quarrelsome

harrowing

extremely disturbing or distressing

insinuate

to suggest or hint slyly; to subtly or artfully instill into someone's mind

intimation

a hint or suggestion; the act of making known indirectly

jaded

dulled or satiated by overindulgence; dissipated

languid

lacking in vigor or vitality; lacking in spirit or interest; listless or faint

opulence

wealth, riches, or affluence

ostentatious

characterized by pretension or a conspicuous show to impress others

peremptory

leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperious or dictatorial

prodigal

wastefully or recklessly extravagant; lavishly abundant

proximity

nearness (in place, time, order, or relation)

scintillating

animated or vivacious; witty or brilliantly clever

supercilious

haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or facial expression