THE GREAT GATSBY - F SCOTT FITZGERALD - VOCABULARY

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Chapter 1 
1) reserved (p. 1/5): adj. - formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship; avoiding familiarity or
intimacy with others: a quiet, reserved man.
2) privy (p. 1/5): adj. - participating in the knowledge of something private or secret
 (usually fol. by to): Many persons were privy to the plot.
3) feign (p. 1/5): verb – to make believe; pretend
4) levity (p. 1/5): noun - a manner lacking seriousness
5) mar (p. 2/6): verb – to damage, ruin, deface
6) abortive (p. 2/7): adj. - partially or imperfectly developed; vain
7) elation (p. 2/7): noun - a feeling or state of great joy or pride; exultant gladness; high spirits
8) confer (p. 4/8): verb – 1. to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor; 2. to consult together
9) acute (p. 6/10): adj. – sharp; intense
10) savor (p. 6/10): verb – to taste or smell
11. reproach (p. 6/10): noun – an object of scorn or contempt
12) wistfully/wistful (p. 6/10): adv/adj – full of wishful yearning or longing, often with sadness
13) supercilious (p. 7/11): adj. – having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views
as unworthy; cocky
14) effeminate (p. 7/11): adj. – having traits, tastes or habits traditionally considered feminine
15) pungent (p. 7/12): adj. – sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell
16) buoy (p. 8/12): verb – to float or rise by reason of lightness
17) divan (p. 8/13): noun – sofa or couch, usually without arms or a back
18) compulsion (p. 9/14): noun – a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, esp. one that is
irrational or contrary to one's will
19) deft (p. 10/15): adj. – quick and skillful
20) retort (p. 10/15): verb – to reply to, usually in a sharp or retaliatory way
21) incredulously/incredulous (p. 10/15): adv/adj – skeptical; disbelieving
22) reciprocal (p. 11/15): adj. – given or felt by each toward the other; mutual
23) contemptuously/contemptuous (p. 11/15): adv/adj – showing or feeling disapproval or disdain toward
something a person considers mean, vile, or worthless; scornful
24) languidly/languid (p. 11/16): adv./adj. – lacking energy or vitality; weak
25) unobtrusively/unobtrusive (p. 12/16): adv./adj. – Not undesirably noticeable or obvious
26) claret (p. 12/17): noun – the red table wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France
27) fervent (p. 13/18): adj. – having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm 28) infinitesimal (p. 13/18): adj. – immeasurably small; less than an assignable quantity
29) vigil (p. 16/20): noun - a devotional watching, or keeping awake, during the customary hours of sleep
30) settee (p. 16/21): noun – a seat for two or more persons, having a back and arms
31) cynical (p. 16/21): adj. – distrusting, criticizing, or mocking the motives of others; pessimistic; glass is
half empty mentality
32) rotogravure (p. 18/23): noun – a print made by a photomechanical process using a copper cylinder
33) corroborate (p. 19/24): verb – to make more certain; confirm
34) libel (p. 19/24): noun - a false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's
reputation
35) banns (p. 19/24): noun – any public announcement of a proposed marriage
36) intimation/intimate (p. 20/25): noun/verb - an indirect suggestion; a slight suggestion or vague
understanding
Chapter 2
1) grotesque gardens (p. 23/27): adj. - fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre
2) impenetrable cloud (p. 23/27): adj. - dense; cannot be penetrated, pierced, entered, etc.
3) wild wag (p. 24/27): noun - witty person who likes to make jokes; oculist: n - eye doctor
4) borough of Queens (p. 24/28): noun - district—N.Y. City is divided up into boroughs
5) solemn (p. 24/28): adj. - formal; serious; sober; lacking humor or happiness
6) proprietor (p. 25/29): noun - property owner; business manager
7) anemic (p. 25/29): adj. - weak; lacking power, vigor, vitality; wishy-washy
**the spelling has changed since Fitzgerald’s time
8) facet or gleam of beauty (p. 25/30): noun - aspect, feature
9) perceptible (p. 25/30): adj. - noticeable; recognizable
10)vitality (p. 25/30): noun - liveliness; energy (physical and/or mental); spirit; vigor
11)smoldering (p. 25/30): adj. - burning ** the spelling has changed since Fitzgerald’s time
12) discreet (p. 26/31): adj. - marked by caution, prudence, or modesty and wise self-restraint; subtle
13) defer (p. 26/31): verb - to yield respectfully in judgment or opinion to another [usually followed by
“to”; ex: Because she is an accountant, I defer to my mom on questions regarding my taxes.]
14) muslin (p. 27/31): noun - delicately woven cotton fabric
15) indeterminate (p. 27/31): adj. - indefinite, uncertain; not clear
16) haughty (p. 28/33): adj. - snooty; arrogant
17) countenance (p. 29/33): noun - appearance, especially the face
18) rakish angle (p. 30/34): adj. - Dashingly or sportingly stylish
19) incessant (p. 30/34): adj. - never-ending; ceaseless
20) innumerable pottery (p. 30/34): adj. - countless; very numerous
21) laughed immoderately (p. 30/34): adv. - without restraint; excessive; extreme 22) flat (p. 30/34): noun - apartment
23) wife was shrill (p. 30/34): adj. - high-pitched
24) impressive hauteur/haughty (p. 30/35): noun - pride, arrogance; cockiness adj. – cocky, snobby
25)high mincing shout (p. 31/35): adj. - dainty, elegant
26) disdain (p. 31/35): verb – to despise or scorn; noun – haughty contempt, extreme dislike; scorn
27)shiftless (p. 32/36): adj. - lazy, without ambition
28) flounce (p. 32/36): - to go with impatient or impetuous, exaggerated movements
29) kike/kyke (p. 34/38): noun - offensive slang for a Jewish person
30)strident (p. 35/40): adj. - loud, harsh, grating, or shrill
31) a wave (p. 36/41): noun - women’s hairdo from the 1920s that created waves in the hair
Chapter 3 
1) omnibus (p. 39/43) noun - a bus or long motor vehicle
2) once a fortnight (p. 40/44) noun - fourteen nights--two weeks
3) harlequin design (p. 40/44) adjective - fancy variation in color
4) cordials so long forgotten (p. 40/44) noun - liqueurs or tonics
5) Castile (p. 40/44) proper noun - allusion to former kingdom of Spain
6) permeate (p. 40/44) verb – to fill up, seep into; to saturate
7) innuendo (p. 40/44) noun - an indirect hint or suggestion about a person or thing, especially of an
insulting or an offensive nature
8) spilled with prodigality (p. 40/44) noun - extravagant wastefulness
9 ) moving her hands like Frisco (p. 41/45) noun - allusion to famous pianist Rocky Frisco
10) erroneous (p. 41/45) adjective - incorrect; wrong
11) Gilda Gray (p. 41/45) proper noun - famous actress known for her dance move “the shimmy” seen in
the Follies (a theatrical revue of song and dance)
12) majestic hand (p. 41/46) noun - handwriting
13) eddies (p. 42/46) plural noun - a current moving in the opposite direction of the main current. [Fitz uses
as metaphor – “eddies of people I didn’t know”]
14) denied so vehement/vehemently (p. 42/46) adjective/adverb - strongly passionate or emotion; often
with anger
16) cordial remarks (p. 42/46) adjective - friendly; warm
17) dignified homogeneity (p. 44/49) noun - uniformity; being similar
18) staid nobility (p. 44/49) adjective – 1) serious; straight-laced; 2) permanent; fixed
19) spectroscopic (p. 44/49) adjective - full spectrum of color and light 20) veranda (p. 45/49) noun - a porch or balcony
21) Gothic library (p. 45/49) adjective - literature genre known for gloom, darkness, and the supernatural
22) ascertain (p. 45/50) verb - to determine; to make certain or clear
23) Belasco (p. 45/50) - allusion to fictional sorcerer with a wide knowledge of spells
24) contralto (p. 46/51) noun - lowest female vocal range in opera
25) vacuous (p. 46/51) adjective – empty; lacking ideas or intelligence; stupid
26) florid (p. 48/53) adj. – 1) a healthy reddish color—as in cheeks; 2) elaborately ornate
27) corpulent person (p.48/53) adjective - plump; large or bulky in body
28) echolalia (p. 49/54) noun – immediate, uncontrollable repetition of words spoken by others
29) jauntiness/jaunty about her movements (p. 50/55) noun/adjective - perky; confident; carefree
30) obstetrical conversation (p. 50/55) adjective - relating to childbirth
31) implore (p. 51/55) verb - to beg urgently
32) ineptly/inept (p. 51/55) adverb/adjective - lacking skill; awkward; clumsy
33) vinous sleep (p. 51/56) adjective - relating to wine
34) asunder (p. 51/56) adverb - separated into pieces; apart from each other
35) dissension (p.51/56) noun - disagreement; difference of opinion
36) deplorable/deplorably (p. 51/56) adjective/adverb - causing grief, regret, or disapproval
37) indignant wives (p. 51/56) adjective - angry; annoyed
37) malevolence (p. 52/57) noun - a desire to harm others; evil
38) enjoined me eagerly (p. 53/57) verb – 1) to urge or command with authority; 2) to forbid
39) man in a long duster (p. 53/58) noun - a long coat designed to protect clothing from dust
40) caterwauling horns (p. 55/60) adjective - a howl that sounds like a cat in heat
41) chasms (p. 56/61) noun - deep crack or hole; metaphor comparing NYC streets to a crack or hole
42) subterfuge (p. 58/63) noun - a plan that hides the real purpose; a deceptive scheme
43) insolent smile (p. 58/63) adjective - boldly rude; disrespectful
Chapter 4
1) bootlegger (p. 61/65) noun - someone who sells smuggled goods illegally —in the ‘20s it was alcohol
2) disintegrate (p. 61/65) verb - to decay; decompose; break up
3) knickerbockers (p. 62/66) noun - loose-fitting pants that gathered at or below the knee
4) sporadic (p. 64/68) adj - periodic; random; happening at irregular intervals
5) punctilious (p. 64/68) adj - painstaking; meticulous; strict attention to minute details
6) disconcerting (p. 64/69) adj - confusing; disturbing; causing emotional disturbance 7) slapping himself indecisively/indecisive (p. 64/69) adv./adj - hesitantly; uncertain; unable to make a
decision
8) evasion (p. 65/69) noun - avoiding something unpleasant; escaping
9) retribution (p. 65/69) noun - something justly deserved; taking revenge or correcting a wrong
10) sinister (p. 65/69) adj - evil; bad; wicked
11) rajah (p. 65/70) noun - an Indian king, prince, or chief
12) threadbare (p. 66/70) adj - shabby; thin; worn off
13) incredulity (p. 66/71) noun - inability or unwillingness to believe; skeptical
14) girders (p. 68/73) noun - large beams that support a building
15) anteroom (p. 69/73) noun – an entry room or waiting area
16) somnambulatory/somnambulance (p. 69/74) adj/noun - sleepwalking
17) business gonnegtion (p. 70/75) connection (with a Jewish accent)
18) juxtaposition (p. 71/75) noun - placing two or more things side by side to emphasize the link or contrast
19) succulent (p. 71/75) adj – 1) juicy; 2) rich in desirable qualities
20) roadster (p. 74/79) noun - small, open-topped sports car
21) I had a few beaux myself (p. 75/80) noun - boyfriends
22) effectual/effectually (p. 75/80) adj./adv. - capable of producing a desired effect; adequate
Chapter 5 
1) elongating [usually elongated] (p. 86) adj: extended; lengthened
2) tactless (p. 88) adj: lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others
3) obliged (p. 88) verb: to place under a debt of gratitude for some benefit, favor, or service. (ex: I'm much
obliged for the ride.)
4) scrutinize (p. 89) verb: to examine in detail with careful or critical attention.
5) harrowed (p. 90) adj: distressed
6) ecstatic (p. 90) adj: of, pertaining to, or characterized by ecstasy; rapturous
7) tonic (p. 90) noun: anything invigorating physically, mentally, or morally
8) defunct (p. 91) adj: no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning
9) demoniac (p. 92) adj: of, pertaining to, or like a demon; demonic 10) Kant (p. 93) German philosopher who was said to have been in the habit of looking at a steeple when he
was thinking
11)obstinate (p. 93) adj: Stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; stubborn
12)vestige (p. 94) noun: a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in
existence
13) exultation (p. 94) noun: The act or condition of rejoicing greatly
14) postern (p. 96) noun: a private entrance or any entrance other than the main one
15) jonquil (p. 96) noun: a narcissus; a fragrant, yellow or white flower
16) hawthorn (p. 96) noun: any of numerous plants belonging to the rose family
17)swathe (p. 96) verb: to wrap up closely or fully
18) disheveled (p. 96) adj: hanging loosely or in disorder; unkempt; untidy
19)garnish (p. 97) verb: to provide or supply with something ornamental; to adorn or decorate
20) disarray (p. 97) noun: disorder; confusion
21) corrugated (p. 98) adj: shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges; wrinkled
22) pompadour (p. 99) noun: an arrangement of a man's hair in which it is brushed up high from the
forehead
23)scanty (p. 99) adj: lacking in amount, quantity; meager; not adequate
24) nebulous (p. 100) adj: hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused
25) remote (p. 102) adj: far apart; far off; distant
Chapter 6 
1) transpire (p. 97/103) verb: to occur; happen; take place
2) laudable (p. 97/103) adj: deserving praise; praiseworthy; commendable
3) insidious (p. 98/104) adj: attractive or enticing but harmful; intended to entrap
4) meretricious (p. 98/104) adj: alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions
5) ineffable (p. 99/105) adj: Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable
6) robust (p. 99/105) adj: strong and healthy; hardy; vigorous
7) ramification (p. 99/105) noun: a development or consequence that complicates a situation
8) turgid (p. 99/106) adj: Excessively ornate or complex in style or language
9) repose (p. 100/106) verb: to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
10) florid (p. 100/106) adj: reddish; ruddy; rosy
11) debauchee (p. 100/106) noun: a person addicted to excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; one given
to debauchery. 12)antecedent (p. 101/107) noun: the history, events, characteristics, etc., of one's earlier life
13) ingratiate (p. 101/107) verb: to establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of others, esp. by
deliberate effort (usually fol. by with)
14)senile (p. 101/107) adj: showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning
15) perturbed (p. 103/110) adj: disturbed greatly; uneasy; anxious
16)septic (p. 106/112) adj: infected
17) lethargic (p. 106/113) adj: drowsy; sluggish; lazy
18) euphemism (p. 107/114) noun: an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is
considered offensive or too harsh (ex: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”)
19)obtrusive (p. 107/114) adj: Tending to push self-assertively forward; brash
20) menagerie (p. 107/114) noun: a collection of wild or unusual animals, or an unusual and varied group of
people
21) dilatory (p. 108/115) adj: tending to delay or procrastinate; slow; tardy
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio (p. 113/119)—the lavish host in The Satyricon, a Latin work by Petronius
2. dilatory (p. 113/119)—adj: tending to delay or procrastinate; slow; tardy
3. caravansary (p. 114/120)—noun: any large inn or hotel
4. harrowing (p. 114/120)—adj: extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous
5. commutation (p. 115/121)—noun: the act of commuting, as to and from a place of work
6. affront (p. 115/121)—noun: a personally offensive act or word; deliberate act or display of
disrespect; intentional slight; insult
7. croon (p. 117/123)—verb: to sing or hum in a soft, soothing voice
8. genial(ly) (p. 118/124)—adj/adv: warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial
9. refuse [REF-yoos] (p. 118/124)—noun (not the verb): something that is discarded as worthless or
useless; rubbish; trash; garbage
10. boisterous(ly) (p. 121/127)—adj: rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; unrestrained
11. medium (p. 122/128)—noun: a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to
contact the living
12. alight(ed) (p. 124/130)—verb: to encounter or notice something accidentally
13. inviolate (p. 125/131)—adj: free from violation, injury, desecration, or outrage
14. precipitate(ly) (p. 125/131)—adj: proceeding rapidly or with great haste
15. tumultuous (p. 126/132)—adj: raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy 16. intermittent (p. 126/133)—adj: Stopping and starting at intervals
17. portentous (p. 127/134)—adj: of momentous or ominous significance; ominously prophetic
18. vicarious(ly) (p. 131/138)—adj: Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or
feelings of another
19. octave (p. 131/139)—noun: in music, a series or range of eight notes
20. rancor (p. 132/139)—noun: bitter resentment or ill will; hatred; malice ** the spelling has changed
since Fitzgerald’s time
21. leave in the lurch (p. 134/141)—noun: to leave in an uncomfortable or desperate situation; desert in
time of trouble
22. magnanimous (p. 135/142)—adj: generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty
resentfulness or the need to seek retribution
23. presumptuous (p. 135/142)—adj: Going beyond what is right or proper; excessively forward;
impolitely bold
24. inquest (p. 136/143)—noun: an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
25. expostulation (p. 138/146)—noun: the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
26. laden (p. 138/146)—adj: burdened; loaded down
27. truculent (p. 140/148)—adj: fierce; cruel; savagely brutal
28. luminosity (p. 142/150)—noun: the quality or condition of radiating or reflecting light
29. rift (p. 144/152)—noun: an opening made by splitting, cleaving, etc.
Chapter 8 
1. indiscernible (p.148/155) adj: impossible to see or understand
2. redolent (p.148/155) adj:1) with a strong, pleasant, or particular scent;
 2) suggestive or reminiscent of something
3. ravenous/ravenously (p.149/156) adj./adverb: extremely hungry or greedy for something
4. unscrupulous/unscrupulously (p.149/156) adj/adv: not restrained by moral or ethical principles;
dishonest; corrupt
5. stratum (p.149/156) noun: a social class or level of society consisting of people or similar cultural,
economic, or educational status
6. whim (p.149/156) noun: a sudden thought, idea, or desire—especially one based on impulse rather
than reason
7. Armistice (p.150/158) proper noun: the truce that ended WWI on Nov. 11, 1918
8. sharper (p.152/159) noun: a skillful cheat, especially in gambling 9. day coach (p.153/160) noun: an ordinary railroad passenger car, as distinguished from a sleeping
car, parlor car, or other deluxe accommodations
10. vestibule (p.153/160) noun: 1) an enclosed area at the entrance of a railroad car; 2) a small room/hall
between an outer door and the main part of the building
11. benediction (p.153/160) noun: 1) an expression or approval of good wishes; 2) a prayer asking for
God’s blessing, usually at the end of a service
12. corroborate (p.153/161) verb: to give or represent evidence of the truth of something; to confirm or
substantiate
13. ecstatic (p.154/162) adj: 1) showing or feeling great pleasure or delight; 2) completely dominated by
an intense emotion
14. cahoots (p.154/162) informal plural noun: questionable collaboration; secret partnership
15. divot (p.155/162) noun: a small lump of grass and earth accidentally dug out of the ground while
playing a sport, especially golf
16. tactful (p.155/162) adj: having or showing concern upsetting or offending people; polite; sensitive
to the feelings of others
17. garrulous (p.156/163) adj: 1) excessively or pointlessly talkative; 2) using too many words
18. lapped (p.156/164) past tense of verb lap:1) to drink a liquid by scooping into the mouth with the
tongue; 2) to flow or splash gently against the surface
19. forlorn (p.159/167) adj: 1) lonely and miserable as though deserted or abandoned; 2) expressing
hopelessness and despair
20. pneumatic (p.161/169) adj: 1) operated by compressed air in a tool or machine; 2) filled with
compressed air; 3) concerning or involving the soul or spirit
21. fortuitous/fortuitously (p.161/169) adj/adv: 1) happening by accident or chance;
2) lucky or fortunate
22. amorphous (p.161/169) adj: without any clear shape, form, or structure; 2) not obviously belonging
to any particular category or type
23. corrugate (p.162/170) verb: to become folded into parallel ridges and channels, or to fold
something—like cardboard—into parallel ridges and channels
24. holocaust (p.162/170) noun: 1) complete mass destruction of any kind; 2) complete consumption by
fire—especially of a large number of human beings or animals; 3) a sacrifice totally consumed
by fire
Chapter 9 
1. adventitious (p. 171/163) – adj: Occurring accidentally or spontaneously
2. racy (p. 171/163) – adj: slightly improper or indelicate
3. pasquinade (p. 171/163) – noun: a satire or lampoon, esp. one posted in a public place
4. deranged (p. 172/164) – adj: driven insane 5. surmise (p. 172/164) – [In the novel surmise is used as a noun, but usually it is used as a verb, so
that is the part of speech we will go with.] Verb: to think or infer without certain or strong
evidence; conjecture; guess
6. superfluous (p. 173/165) – adj: being more than is sufficient or required; excessive
7. addenda (p. 174/166) – (plural of addendum) noun: things to be added; an addition
8. ulster (p. 175/167) – noun: A loose, long overcoat made of heavy, rugged fabric and often belted
9. sparse (p. 175/167) – adj: not thick or dense; thin
10. James J. Hill (p. 176/168) – Railroad tycoon (1838-1916) who lived in St. Paul, Minnesota,
Fitzgerald’s hometown
11. ejaculate (p. 177/169) – verb: to utter suddenly and briefly; exclaim
12. bulbous (p. 179/171) – adj: bulb-shaped; bulging
13. elocution (p. 181/173) – noun: a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public
14. El Greco (p. 185/176) - Greek-born Spanish painter of religious works, such as Christ Stripped of
His Garments (1579) and Assumption (1577), characterized by elongated human figures,
contrasting colors, and deep shadows.
15. sullen (p. 185/176) – adj: showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence or reserve
16. lustreless [British spelling; American spelling: lusterless] (p. 185/176) – adj: lacking in brightness,
sparkle, or sheen
17. pander (p. 189/180) – verb: To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or to exploit their
weaknesses
18. aesthetic (p. 189/180) – adj: Of or concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste
19. commensurate (p. 189/180) – adj: corresponding in amount, magnitude, or degree; proportionate;
adequate
20. orgastic (p. 189/180) – adj: intense or unrestrained excitement
21. elude (p. 189/180) – verb: to avoid or escape by speed, cleverness, trickery, etc.; to evade