The Great Gatsby Vocab

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time

Ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; unclear

Vapid

Offering nothing stimulating or challenging; dull

Elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or understand

Apathetic

Showing little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

Facade

An outward appearance that hides a less pleasant reality

Disillusionment

Disappointment resulting from discovering something is not as good as believed

Tumultuous

Full of disorder, confusion, or upheaval

Reticent

Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily; reserved

Meticulous

Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise

Enigmatic

Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious

Debauchery

Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; immoral behavior

Extravagance

Lack of restraint in spending money or using resources

Surreptitious

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of

Cynical

Distrustful of people’s motives; believing people are motivated by self-interest

Nebulous

Unclear, vague, or not well-defined

Aesthetic

Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

Nostalgia

Sentimental longing for the past

Indignant

Feeling anger or annoyance at unfair treatment

Juxtaposition

Placing two things close together for contrasting effect

Reverie

A state of being pleasantly lost in thought; a daydream

Squalor

A state of extreme dirtiness, poverty, or neglect

Tumult

Loud, confused noise; disorder or commotion

Melancholy

A feeling of deep sadness without an obvious cause

Impetuous

Acting quickly without careful thought

Pompous

Affectedly grand, self-important, or arrogant

Chicanery

Deception or trickery used to achieve a purpose

Revelry

Lively and noisy celebration or partying

Imperturbable

Remaining calm and composed; not easily upset