The Outsiders
by S. E. Hinton
Vocabulary
EQ: What vocabulary terms do I need to
know when reading The Outsiders?
Madras
• Definition: cotton, plaid
material (for clothing)
• From text: “He had on a
madras shirt. I can still
see it. Blue madras.”
(p.8)
Cowlick
• Definition: an unruly tuft of hair
• From text: “He had dark hair that
kicks out in front
and a sight
cowlick in the
back – just like
Dad’s … .” (p.9)
Unfathomable
• Definition: difficult or
impossible to
understand
• From text: “He like
fights, blonds, and for
some unfathomable
reason, school.” (p.12)
Roguishly
• Definition: playfully
mischievous; devilishly
• From text: “Dally
grinned roguishly. I’m
never nice. Want a
Coke?” (p.22)
Incredulous
• Definition: skeptical
(having doubts);
disbelieving
• From text: “She gave
him an incredulous
look; and then she
threw her Coke in his
face.” (p.24)
Nonchalantly
• Definition: coolly
unconcerned, indifferent,
or unexcited; casual
• From text: “We had picked up two girls,
and classy ones at that. Not any greasey
broads for us, but real Socs. ...
‘Okay,’ I said nonchalantly, ‘might as well.’”
(p.25)
Gallantly
• Definition: brave;
courageous; dashing
• From text: “Two-Bit
gallantly offered to walk
them home ...” (p.24)
Aloofness
• Definition: indifference;
emotional distance
• From text: “Socs were always
behind a wall of
aloofness, careful
not the let their
real selves show
through.” (p.36)
Elite
• Definition: privileged;
the best of a class
• From text:
“Who is it? asked Two-Bit. The FBI?”
”No,” Cherry said bleakly, “it’s Randy and
Bob.”
“And,” Two-Bit added grimly, “a few other of
the socially elite checkered-shirt set.”
(p.38)
Defiance
• Definition: bold
resistance (to authority)
• From text: “Yet in his
hard face there was
character, pride, and a
savage defiance of the
world.” (p.54)
feeling or showing deep
hatred or disapproval; feeling
or showing contempt
Respectfully
Politely
Humbly
contemptuously
Scornfully
Disrespectfully
Condescendingly
“I hated them as bitterly and
as contemptuously as Dally
Winston hated. “ (p. 101)
feeling or showing doubt about
doing something : not willing
or eager to do something
Adverse
Hesitant
Uncertain
Wary
reluctant
“I put the book down
reluctantly.” (p.63)
Confident
Definite
Willing
Failed to be remembered or
understood; escaped from
memory
Baffle
Dumbfound
Befuddle
puzzle
eluded
Enlighten
Aid
Clarify
“I was trying to find the
meaning the poet had in mind,
but it eluded me.” (p.69)
a person who is very
enthusiastic about
something
Enthusiast
Fanatic
Follower
fiend
“I’m what you might call a
Pepsi addict. I drink them like
a fiend …” (p. 70)
Opponent
Critic
Adversary
to fall in or as if in a faint —
usually used with over
Plunge
Collapse
Overturn
Topple
keeled
“You just keeled over from smoke
inhalation and a little shock – of
course, that slap on the back
didn’t help much.” (p.84)
Ascend
Increase
Rise
Struck with fear
Stunned
Shocked
Appalled
unsurprised
Aghast
“Work?” Two-Bit was aghast.
“And ruin my rep?” (p. 99)
To copy or imitate closely,
especially in speech, expression,
and gesture
Copied
Resembled
Simulated
Be original
Differ
Mimicked
“He grabbed one guy’s press hat and
another’s camera and walked around
interviewing nurses and mimicking
TV reporters.” (p. 89)