Name_______________________
Date_______________
Pygmalion Vocabulary
Directions: Define the words below. You must include the part of speech for each word.
1. Upstart (noun): a person who has risen suddenly to wealth or high position, especially one who
behaves arrogantly
2. Omnivorous (adjective): taking in or using whatever is available
3. Didactic (adjective): intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior
motive
4. Humanitarianism (noun): the doctrine that humanity’s obligations are concerned wholly with
the welfare of the human race.
5. Anticlimax (noun): a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events
6. Phonetic (adjective): of or relating to speech sounds
7. Dialect (noun): a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group
8. Torrents (noun): a strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid
9. Gumption (noun): shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness
10. Sixpence (noun): a coin worth six old pence (before 1971). Pence is plural of penny.
11. Amiable (adjective): having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner
12. Plinth (noun): a heavy base supporting a statue or vase
13. Sovereign (money) (noun): British gold coin worth one pound (sterling)
14. Phonetics (noun): the study and classification of speech and sounds
15. Bilious (adjective): spiteful; bad-tempered
16. Prodigal (adjective): wastefully extravagant
17. Genteel (adjective): polite, refined, or respectable
18. Shilling (noun): British coin equal to one twentieth of a pound or twelve pence.
19. Guineas (money): British coin roughly equal to a pound (the British pound replaced it).
20. Guttersnipe (noun): a scruffy and badly behaved child who spends most of their time on the
street
21. Duchess (noun): the wife of a duke
22. Balmy (British slang) (adjective): extremely foolish; eccentric
23. Blooming (British slang) (adjective): used for emphasis or to express annoyance
24. Bloody (British slang) (adjective): profanity used for emphasis
25. Scullery (noun): a small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and
other dirty household work
26. Frowzy (adjective): scruffy and neglected in appearance
27. Blast (British slang) (adjective): an expression of anger
28. Pence (noun): plural for penny
29. Benzene (noun): a chemical compound used as a solvent or cleaner
30. Dustman (noun): garbage collector
31. Blackguard (noun): a person, particularly a man, who behaves in a dishonorable or contemptible
way.
32. Divan (noun): a long, low sofa without a back or arms, typically placed against a wall
33. Woodnote (noun): a natural and untrained musical note resembling the song of a bird
34. Rhetoric (noun): the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
35. Oblige (verb): do as (someone) asks or desires in order to help or please them.
36. Brogue (noun): a rough shoe of untanned leather (connected to Ireland and the Scottish
Highlands) or a strong regional accent
37. Monkey Brand: a household soap meant for polishing china or metal.