Gatsby Vocab

acute

intense, short-lived, or highly developed qualities

supercilious

a haughty, arrogant, and scornful attitude

Fractiousness

personality trait characterized by irritability, peevishness, being easily annoyed, or prone to unruly, rebellious behavior

Contempt

a scornful, disdainful, or haughty attitude, indicating a lack of respect and intense disapproval toward others,

Irrecoverable

incapable of being regained, recovered, or undone

Effeminate

describes Tom Buchanan’s riding clothes, meaning they possess, or appear to possess, qualities traditionally associated with women, such as softness or delicacy

Vista

distant, sweeping, or framed view, often looking through an opening like trees or across water

Leverage

power to influence

Censure

expressing strong disapproval, condemnation, or harsh criticism

Wistfully

an action done with a, often sad,, longing or unfulfilled desire

Gruff

voice or manner that is rough, harsh, stern, and unfriendly

Ballooned

slow, drifting descent

Scorn

intense contempt, disdain, or open disrespect for someone or something viewed as unworthy, inferior, or vulgar

breeding

the social refinement, manners, and pedigree associated with "old money" aristocracy

strident

unpleasantly loud, harsh, grating, or shrill

patent

proprietary, protected, or officially secured

Deft

neatly skillful, quick, and clever in movement or action

Incredulously

acting in a manner that shows disbelief, skepticism, or an inability to believe something, often due to shock or surprise

Repelled

disgust, aversion, and moral detestation toward the careless, hedonistic, and shallow behavior of the wealthy elite in New York

Conspiratorial

actions, glances, or whispers that suggest a shared, exclusive secret or a hidden, collusive plan among characters

Euphemistic

mild, indirect, or evasive phrases used by characters to mask uncomfortable realities, particularly regarding wealth, social standing, and illicit actions

Inexhaustible

something that cannot be used up, emptied, or finished, implying an endless, abundant, or tireless supply

Impassioned

words, actions, or emotions filled with intense passion, deep feeling, or fervor

Clad

dressed, covered, or clothed, often implying a specific, sometimes luxurious or formal, appearance

Harlequin

a mixture of bright, varied colors or a multicolored, diamond-patterned design

Shorn

cut, clipped, or sheared, specifically referring to the fashionable, short bobbed hairstyles of women

Weave

fluid, winding, and often evasive movement of characters through crowded, chaotic social scene

Colloquial

an incredibly lavish, opulent, and glamorous party, heavily inspired by the 1920s aesthetic

Racy

slightly improper, risqué, or indelicate, often describing scandalous, gossip-filled, or satirical content

Unintelligible

speech or writing that is impossible to understand, often due to confusion, intoxication, or incoherence

Eluded

to escape, evade, or be incomprehensible to, often implying a clever or frustrating getaway

Cataracts

large, roaring waterfalls or heavy, rushing torrents of water

Ravages

the extensive damage, destruction, or chaotic mess left behind by Gatsby's wild weekend parties

Cordials

warm, friendly, and gracious

Permeate

to spread throughout, fill, or saturate every part of something

Opal

a dress worn by a woman that shimmered with iridescent, shifting colors, similar to the gemstone opal

Superfluous

unnecessary, excessive, or more than is required

Chasms

deep, literal fissures in the earth or, metaphorically, the profound, unbridgeable social and emotional divides between people, such as the gap between the wealthy elite (East/West Egg) and the working class (Valley of Ashes)

Loitered

strolling, ambling, or lingering in a leisurely, aimless, or idle manner (guests at Gatsby’s parties)

Gayety

high-spirited merriment, festive celebration, and intense cheerfulness

Row

a loud noise, heated dispute, or quarrel

Omnibus

a large motor vehicle or bus designed to carry many passengers

Verandas

large, roofed porches or open galleries attached to the exterior of a house, typically on the ground floor

Innuendo

indirect, often malicious or sexual, implications and whispering rumors used to gossip

Obligingly

a person who is eager to help, accommodating, and easy to get along with

Enigmatic

mysterious

Conscientious

being meticulous, careful, painstaking, and thorough in one's actions or duties

Poignant

evoking a keen, sharp sense of sadness, regret, or deep emotional longing

Haughty

an arrogant, disdainful, and proudly superior attitude, where characters act as if they are better than others

Astute

keen, clever, or shrewd mind capable of noticing and understanding complex situations quickly

Scampered

to run or move quickly and lightly with short, rapid steps

Corps

a specialized branch or unit of an army (specifically, the army unit unit of the military).

gaudy

the showy, flashy, and often tasteless, over-the-top, or excessively bright nature of the 1920s

Prodigality

extravagant, wasteful spending or reckless, abundant lavishness

Erroneous

incorrect, mistaken, or containing error

Mellow

relaxed, calm, or pleasantly soft atmosphere, mood, or character

Sanguine

character’s temperament as cheerfully optimistic, confident, and hopeful

Affectations

artificial mannerisms, behaviors, or speech habits adopted to impress others or conceal one's true self

Despondent

extreme hopelessness, dejection, and discouragement

Lurched

to move or sway suddenly, abruptly, or unsteadily

Conservatory

a luxurious, glass-enclosed room or greenhouse attached to a mansion, designed for growing and displaying exotic plants

Evasions

the act of dodging, avoiding, or sidestepping direct questions, accusations, or truths

Rajah

a term for an Indian king, prince, or minor chief, used metaphorically to describe someone living in immense, exotic wealth

Threadbare

fabric, clothing, or an idea—that is worn out, shabby, or overused to the point where it has lost its quality and effectiveness

Punctilious

paying extremely meticulous attention to detail, etiquette, and social conventions

Proprietor

the owner of a business or property, often implying a sole owner in charge of operations

Flavored

"savor of" (often interpreted as having a specific flavor or quality) is used to describe a trace, suggestion, or hint of something

Insignia

badge, emblem, or distinguishing mark of rank, membership, or honor

Elicited

To draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke

Detachments

state of emotional aloofness, indifference to worldly concerns, or a conscious separation from the moral decay and chaos

Resourcefulness

the ability to cope with difficult situations, find solutions to problems, and adapt to challenging circumstances

Terraced

describes Gatsby's car as having multiple, layered levels of windshields

Disconcerting

something that causes unsettling confusion, discomfort, or a disturbance to one's composure

Retribution

punishment that is morally right, fully deserved, and often acts as vengeance or a "just dessert" for wrongdoing

Skimming

Jay Gatsby’s superficial, rapid acquisition of the persona, behaviors, and material trappings of the upper class

Digress

temporarily wander or stray away from the main topic, plot, or argument while speaking or writing

Formless

something lacking a specific shape, structure, or definition

Condescension

the patronizing, arrogant attitude of "old money" East Eggers, who view themselves as socially superior to "new money" West Eggers

Receptacle

An object or space used to contain something or electrical feeling/object

Civility

a superficial veneer of politeness, social etiquette, and "civilized conduct" used by the wealthy to maintain appearances

Bleared

windows made dim, blurry, or misted over by rain and condensation

Harrowed

greatly distressed, tormented, or extremely disturbed

Mollifying

calming, soothing, or appeasing someone to reduce their anger, intensity, or severity

Tonic

anything that invigorates, refreshes, or restores a feeling of well-being.

Grave

serious, solemn, or somber, describing a tone or demeanor

Plunged

diving or throwing oneself into something

Defunct

no longer existing, functioning, or in use

Distraught

a state of extreme emotional agitation, deep distress, or being so upset that clear thinking is impossible

Abortive

failing to produce the intended result, fruitless, or stopped before completion

Bravado

swaggering, often false display of boldness, courage, or confidence intended to impress others or mask insecurity

Dissembling

consciously hiding one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs under a false appearance, acting deceptively to fit in or manipulate situations

Insidious

something that is subtly, stealthily, or alluringly harmful and intended to entrap

Loafing

spending time in an aimless, idle, or lazy manner, often avoiding work or responsibility

Shiftless

lazy, lacking ambition, and devoid of initiative

Conception

Jay Gatsby’s creation of an idealized, flawless, and superior version of himself

Meretricious

something that is superficially attractive, flashy, or alluring, but actually shallow, vulgar, or without genuine value

Bracing

days that are invigorating, stimulating, and refreshing

Disdain

a intense feeling of scorn, contempt, or superiority, where characters (particularly the established elite) treat others as unworthy, inferior, or beneath their dignity

Contemptuous

a scornful, disdainful, or arrogant attitude, indicating a lack of respect and a belief that others are unworthy or inferior

Grotesque

scenes, images, or ideas that are bizarre, distorted, and unnaturally ugly, often emphasizing the moral decay and corruption of the 1920s