The Great Gatsby Vocabulary List (Chapters 1-4)
1. complacency (k m-pl s n-s ) n. - A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction
2. reproach (r -pr ch ) tr.v. -To express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in
(someone); to blame
3. supercilious (s
p r-s l - s) adj. - Feeling or showing arrogant scorn; to consider as beneath
one’s self
4. languid (l ng gw d) adj.- Lacking energy or vitality; weak; showing little or no spirit or
animation; listless; lacking vigor or force; slow
5. proprietary (pr -pr
-t r ) adj.- Exclusively owned; private
6. deft (d ft) adj. - Quick and skillful in movement
7. prodigal (pr d -g l) adj. - Rashly or wastefully extravagant; giving or given in abundance;
lavish or profuse
8. haughty (hô t ) adj - Scornfully and condescendingly proud; demonstrating excessive pride
9. insolent ( n s -l nt) adj. - Presumptuous and insulting in manner or speech; rude or
disrespectful
10. jaunty (jôn t , jän -) adj - Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk; Crisp and dapper in
appearance; stylish
The Great Gatsby Vocabulary List (Chapters 5-9)
11. disconcert(ing) (d s k n-sûrt ) tr.v- To upset the self-possession of; ruffle; To frustrate (plans,
for example) by throwing into disorder; disarrange
12. valor (v l r) n. - Courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery
13. nebulous (n b y -l s) adj. - Lacking definite form or limits; vague; Cloudy, misty, or hazy
14. laudable (lô d -b l) adj. - Deserving commendation; praiseworthy
15. meretricious (m r -tr sh s) adj. - Attracting attention in a vulgar manner; gaudy
16. ineffable ( n- f -b l) adj. - Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable; Not to
be uttered; taboo
17. elusive ( -l
s v, -z v) adj. - Difficult to define or describe; Tending to avoid being captured
by: evade
18. vicarious (v -kâr - s, -k r -, v -) adj.- Felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the
experience or feelings of another; Endured or done by one person substituting for another:
vicarious punishment
19. forlorn (f r-lôrn , fôr-) adj. -Appearing sad or lonely because deserted or abandoned;
Wretched or pitiful in appearance or condition; deprived: forlorn of all hope
20. surmise (s r-m z ) v. -To infer (something) without sufficiently conclusive evidence.; guess