The Great Gatsby Vocabulary

Feigned

Give a false appearance; pret

Plagiaristic

Stealing or passing off the words or ideas of another as one’s own

Contiguous

touching along a boundary or at a point

Sinister

threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble

Colossal

effect approaching or suggesting the stupendous or incredible

Supercilious

Coolly and patronizingly haughty

Effeminate

Having feminine qualities untypical of a man

Swank

An arrogance; pretentiousness; swagger

Fractiousness

Quarrelsome, irritable; unruly

Imperceptibly

Not perceptible by a sense or by the mind; extremely subtle

Reciprocal

Shared

Contemptuously

Scornfully, haughtily

Intriguing

Arousing curiosity or interest by unusual, new or compelling qualities

Wan

Pale, lacking color

Peremptory

Leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; assertive in speech, manner

Grotesque

Fanciful; bizarre; absurdly incongruous

Impenetrable

Incapable of being penetrates or pierced

Bleak

Exposed and barren; lacking warmth; not hopeful or encouraging

Oculist

Optometrist; ophthalmologist

Sauntered

Walked around in an idle or leisurely manner

Unprosperous

Unfavorable; unlucky; not successful

Sumptuous

Extremely costly; rich; luxurious or magnificent

Sensuous

Of or relating to the senses; having strong sensory appeal

Vitality

Physical and mental vigor; a power of enduring

Smoldering

To exist in a state of suppressed activity

Regal

Of, relating to or suitable for a kind; of notable excellence

Countenance

Calm expression; mental composure

Proprietor

One who has the exclusive legal right to something; owner

Hauteur

Arrogance, haughtiness

Impassioned

Filled with passion our zeal; showing great warmth or inten