Great Gatsby, Vocab 1&2
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46 terms
French | English |
|---|---|
 riotous | disorderly, uncontrolled, boisterous, loud, reckless |
| arresting | something noteworthy, that attracts attention or interest, makes you pause |
| affected/unaffected/affection | false, artificial, phony, insincere, trying to impress |
| sinister | threatening; evil or dishonest in a mysterious or suspenseful way |
| colossal | huge |
| wistful | longing or yearning for something one doesn't have |
| supercilious | characterized by pride, scorn, or feelings of superiority |
| fractious | irritable, unruly, ill-tempered, rebellious |
| contemptuous | scornful, disdainful, the quality of despising something |
| imperative | absolutely necessary, commanding attention |
| languid | drooping, lacking vigor or energy |
| banter | light, frivolous back-and-forth discussion or teasing |
| complacent | self-satisfied, smug, content with how things are |
| extemporize | to improvise, do something in a makeshift way |
| cynical | assuming the worst, skeptical of others' motives, jaded, willing to play by corrupt rules |
| peremptory | sharp and commanding, intolerant, decisive |
| anaemic (anemic) | lacking energy or spirit, sickly, bloodless |
| discreet | showing careful judgment in speech or action; at times, respectful of others' feelings |
| defer to | to yield respectfully to the thoughts or opinions of others |
| haughty | excessively proud, disdainful or contemptuous of others |
| rakish | dashing, stylish, snazzy, in a carefree or jaunty way |
| attire | to clothe / clothing |
| strident | harsh, grating, irritating, loud |
| innuendo | indirect suggestion or hint, usually unflattering |
| decadent/decadence | in a state of decay or decline, often because of excessive, overindulgent behavior |
| prodigal, prodigality | recklessly extravagant, wasteful, lavish, abundant |
| staid | sedate, sober, settled |
| vacuous | empty, inane, stupid [in the sense of being empty, devoid of ideas] |
| tortuous | twisted, winding, marked by bends and turns, circuitous or excessively involved |
| florid | flowery (literal), excessively ornate, sometimes tinged with red [a florid face] |
| convivial | sociable, merry, jovial, fond of parites |
| jaunty | lively, sprightly, carefree, self-confident |
| racy | highly distinctive, original, pungent, zesty; common connotation: risqué or suggestive |
| subterfuge | a deception, usually in order to escape or evade or conceal |
| punctilious | extremely attentive to detail; careful, exact, proper, polite |
| incredulous, incredulity | skeptical, shocked, disbelieving |
| gaudy | tastelessly bright, ornate or showy |
| harrowing | distressing, chilling, frightening |
| meretricious | attractive but in a vulgar or deceitful way; superficially appealing but corrupt under the surface [rare word, but major significance where it's used here] |
| ineffable | indescribable, unspeakable, unable to be expressed in words |
| repose | to place (as confidence or trust) in someone, to entrust, to place somewhere for management or use [other sense of n. or v. has to do with rest, relaxation] |
| contingency/contingent upon | something possible under certain conditions; something that happens by chance or accident [our trip to the park is contingent upon the weather] |
| ingratiate | to deliberately act in a way to gain favor with someone, to "kiss up" |
| inviolate | pure, not violated or profaned, unharmed, untouched |
| portentous | adj. having a feeling of sign or warning that something huge and perhaps disastrous is likely to happen; n. a portent |
| commensurate | corresponding in size, degree or proportion - or using a similar type of measurement system |
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