The Joy Luck Club Vocabulary

Admonish

To warn or gently criticize someone about their behavior.

Adversary

An opponent or enemy in a contest, game, or conflict.

Apathetic

Not showing interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Benevolent

Kind and wanting to help others.

Careen

To lean or tilt to one side while moving quickly.

Chastise

To scold or punish someone for doing something wrong.

Deft

Skillful and quick in doing something.

Deplete

To use up or reduce something a lot.

Diligent

Working hard and carefully to finish a task.

Docile

Easy to teach, manage, or control.

Explicit

Very clear and detailed, leaving no room for confusion.

Facade

The front of a building or a false appearance that hides what someone really feels or is like.

Haughty

Acting proud and thinking you are better than others.

Innuendo

An indirect or hidden remark, often suggesting something bad or rude.

Jaunty

Having a lively, cheerful, and confident attitude or style.

Malignant

Very harmful or likely to cause serious illness or damage.

Penance

An action done to show you are sorry for doing something wrong.

Posterity

All the people who live in the future after you.

Procure

To get or obtain something, especially with effort.

Pungent

Having a strong, sharp smell or taste.