The Great Gatsby - Vocab

Incredulous

Skeptical; disbelieving.

Notoriety

The state of being famous for something bad or scandalous.

Vigil

A period of watchful attention, especially during the night.

Commensurate

Equal in measure or extent; corresponding in size or degree.

Privy to

Sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private.

Prey

A victim, especially of a powerful force or predator.

Riotous

Wild and uncontrolled.

Romantic readiness

A willingness to believe in and pursue love or idealism.

Foul dust

Something morally corrupt or tainted.

Epigram

A witty or wise saying.

Epigraph

A quote at the beginning of a book.

Irrecoverable

Unable to be recovered or regained.

Wistful

Full of longing or sadness.

Deft

Skillful, quick, and precise.

Contemptuously

Scornfully; showing disdain.

Complacency

Self-satisfaction, often while unaware of danger or deficiency.

Urgency

A sense of pressing importance or immediacy.

Cynical

Distrustful of others' motives; believing people are motivated by self

Sophisticated

Worldly, cultured, and knowledgeable.

Ravages

Ruins or destruction.

Prosperous/Unprosperous

Wealthy vs. not wealthy.

Eluded / Elusive

Escaped or hard to grasp.

Bewilderment

Confusion, often from something unexpected.