“The Scarlet Ibis”
Vocabulary Words
Imminent (adj.)

About to occur; likely to happen soon

Jarrett’s reckless driving of his four
wheeler made me believe an accident was
imminent.
Iridescent (adj.)

Shining with shifting
rainbow color

The iridescent sticker
was the top prize in
Mrs. Steinbacher’s
first-grade class.
Vortex (n)

A rushing whirl,
drawing in all that
surrounds it

The tornado-like
vortex raged through
Kansas, destroying an
entire mobile home
park.
Infallibility (n)

The condition of
being unable to fail

Tom’s infallibility in all
academics enabled
him to graduate as
the class
valedictorian.
Entrails (n)

Internal organs;
specifically intestines

The deer was
apparently hit by a
fast moving vehicle
and its entrails were
spread across the
highway.
Precariously (adv.)

Insecurely

The boys stretched
precariously across
the top of the steep
ledge, frightening all
who passed.
Evanesced (v)

Faded away

Several years after her parents divorce,
Elizabeth’s angry feelings toward her
father evanesced, and she was able to
enjoy his company again.
Careen (v)

To rush carelessly

The car careened
down the highway
until the driver saw
the flashing lights
following closely
behind him.
Doggedness (n)

Persistence,
stubbornness

Mitchell’s doggedness,
when it came time to
his hours of practice,
enabled him to win
the competition.
Exotic (adj.)

Excitingly strange

While most of my
family enjoys
hamburgers and hot
dogs, I enjoy more
exotic meals.
Heresy (n)

An action or opinion
that differs from what
is generally thought
of as right

The heresy of the
church leaders made
the entire
congregation question
their decisions
Invalid (adj.)

Too ill to live a normal
life

The invalid boy would
be confined to a
wheelchair for the
rest of his life.
Reiterate (v)

Repeat

Because he was so
tired, Jayden had to
ask the teacher to
reiterate the
instructions three
times.