Name _________________________________________ Class Period ______
The Outsiders Vocabulary
Denotation vs. Connotation
Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word.
Connotation is what a word makes you think of, or the emotions it arouses.
1. Would you rather be called curious or nosy? ____________________
Would you rather be called determined or stubborn? ____________________
Would you rather be called unique or weird? ____________________
Would you rather be called carefree or irresponsible? ___________________
You probably chose the first word in each question because of the negative connotation the
other words tend to have.
2. For you, what is the connotation of the word “outsider”? (In other words, what does this word
make you think of? What emotions or thoughts come to mind when you hear it?)
__________________________________________________________________
Is it positive or negative? _____________ Why? ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1 and 2
Write a definition for each of the words listed below, then draw a picture/image that will help
you remember what the word means.
1. gingerly (adv.) –
2. unfathomable (adj.) –
3. sagely (adv.)—
4. incredulous (adj.)—
5. nonchalant (adj.)—
6. loping (v.)—
Fill in each blank with the appropriate vocabulary word from Chapters 1 and 2.
7. Jim was __________________ after tripping in the hallway—he acted like nothing had even
happened.
8. I handled the delicate vase very _____________________.
9. The ____________________ look Shirley just gave me must have something to do with the
fact that I ate her last cupcake.
10. The horses _______________ easily across the fields.
11. He ___________________ advised her not to jump from the trampoline into the pool.
12. It was ______________________ to me why he wanted to learn to hang-glide.
Chapter 3
Write a definition for each of the words listed below, then draw a picture/image that will help
you remember what the word means.
1. aloof (adj.)–
2. gallantly (adv.)—
3. elite (adj.)—
4. bleak (adj.)—
5. vague (adj.)—
Fill in each blank with the appropriate vocabulary word from Chapter 2.
6. The landscape of the moon is lifeless and quite _________________.
7. He wasn’t unfriendly, just a little _______________.
8. He thinks he is part of an _____________ group of people who are “better” than the
rest of us.
9. The soldiers ________________ rode into battle to defend their homes.
10. Your answer is too ___________________; please provide more details next time.
Chapter 4
Read the following definitions, and then write your own brief definition of the term in your
own words.
1. unceasing (adv.)—endless; constant
Your definition:
2. quavered (v)—trembled; shook
Your definition:
3. premonition (n)—a previous warning or notice
Your definition:
4. apprehensive (adj.)—anxious or uneasy
Your definition:
5. contemptuous (adj.)—scornful or disapproving
Your definition:
6. ruefully (adv.)—remorsefully or sorrowfully
Your definition:
Use the vocabulary words from Chapter 4 to fill in the blanks.
7. I’m not sure that it qualifies as a _________________, but I had a dream last night that
the teacher would assign homework today.
8. “I feel terrible about doing that,” he said _____________________.
9. He looked at the criminal in a _______________________ way, thinking, “This guy
deserved the punishment he got.”
10. Lily’s voice __________________ as she nervously began her speech.
11. Fred is feeling ______________________ about Friday’s exam because he has missed a lot
of school lately.
12. The _______________________ sound of the alarm clock disturbed my dreams.
Chapters 5 and 6
Copy the definitions for each word below from the chalkboard. Then, draw a picture for each
of the terms to help you remember what each word means.
1. eluded—
2. fiend—
3. indignant—
4. wistfully—
5. doggedly—
6. bewilderment—
7. hysterics—
Use each vocab. word from Chapters 5 and 6 in a sentence that shows you understand the
meaning of the word.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Chapters 7 and 8
Draw a line from each word on the left to its definition on the right. Then use the vocabulary
words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
1. mimicking (p.100)
a. thugs; tough criminals
2. mourning (p. 112)
b. adventures; heroic acts
3. delinquent (p. 108)
c. criminal; wrongdoer
4. exploits (p. 110)
d. grieving; showing loss
5. hoodlums (p. 123)
e. to discuss both sides of an argument
6. debate (p. 125)
f. imitating; mocking
7. ____________________ someone’s behavior is rude.
8. Rae Ann is considered by her family to be a juvenile __________________ because she has
been arrested several times, and she’s not even seventeen yet.
9. I like to _________________ issues with my sister since I usually end up winning. (She’s not
very good at using logic to prove a point.)
10. I enjoy hearing stories of my father’s ____________________ from when he was a crazy
kid.
11. Grandpa is always complaining about the __________________ who slash tires and vandalize
the neighborhood.
12. Oftentimes, people wear black to funerals as a sign that they are ________________ the
loss of a loved one.
Chapters 9 and 10
Draw a line from each word on the left to its definition on the right. Then use the vocabulary
words to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
1. mortal (adj.)
a. puzzled or disoriented
2. prime (adj.)
b. nuisance or bother, perhaps even a danger
3. menace
c. deadly; fatal
4. stifle
d. a person who’s been found guilty of a crime and sent to prison
5. convict (n.)
e. suppress or smother
6. stupor
f. superior; most important; leading
7. bewildered
g. a state of shock or numbness
8. He didn’t get the job, because the manager was worried about hiring a former
__________________ to work with children.
9. Please don’t __________________ my creativity by making me wear a uniform.
10. The football player received a concussion and walked around in a _________________ after
taking the hard hit.
11. The bullet the soldier took proved to be a __________________ injury.
12. My baby sister is such a ___________________ to me and my friends!
13. Hillary was _________________________ by the difficult math problem.
14. Your ____________ responsibility is to be a good student, George.
Chapters 11 and 12
Replace each underlined word/phrase with its antonym from the Word Box so that the
sentence makes sense. Write the antonym on the line below the sentence, then write your own
definition of the word.
Word Box
acquitted
reckless
vast
1. The rocket ship soared into the limited reaches of outer space. __________________
Your own definition:
2. A cautious driver will get into many accidents. ___________________________
Your own definition:
3. Once the judge is convinced of the defendant’s innocence, he will be convicted.
_______________________________
Your own definition: