Great Expectations / Wuthering Heights
Vocabulary Lists
A.P. ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
Archbishop Moeller High School, Mr. Rose
These words are chosen for you for a number of reasons: First, these are commonly used words in college-level
reading and in works of contemporary (as well as older) literature. Second, these words all commonly appear on
the PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams. You need to know the definitions of these words and how to use them – not just
for this vocabulary test, but forever. These are not bizarre, obscure words.
The following two word lists include vocabulary taken from Great Expectations. The definitions can be found on
the Great Expectations flashcard deck at Dictionary.com.
explicit
disconsolate
gloat
imperious
allude
conciliatory
surmise
prodigious
commiserate
abhorrence
desolation
expend
morose
corroborate
vicarious
larceny
appall
execrate
discernible
aversion
indiscriminate
ravenous
consternation
omnipotent
grovel
elate
ignominious
acquiesce
altercation
plaintive
dexterous
constrain
impartial
paroxysm
imperceptible
disinterest
magnanimous
discomfit
copious
culminate
injudicious
stipulation
beguile
discretion
waive
thwart
supercilious
brazen
irresolute
ineffectual
singularity
diffidence
The following word list includes vocabulary taken from Wuthering Heights. The definitions can be found on the
Wuthering Heights flashcard deck at Dictionary.com.
slattern
sanguine
lachrymose
portend
presentiment
laconic
petulant
peruse
scruple
impudence
equanimity
petulance
pertinacious
immolation
doleful
insolent
indignant
dissipation
abjure
insipid
odious
misanthropic
vapid
reprobate
assiduous
propitiate
paltry
languid
Study hint: Find an online text of these novels and search for the vocabulary words to find the sentences in which
the words appear. This will help you to understand how they’re used.
Vocabulary tests include word-definition matching and complete-the-sentence questions. Some of the sentences
will come directly from the reading.