Great Gatsby Vocabulary

Question 1

Prodigality

Answer 1

n. the state of having or giving something on a lavish scale

the prodigality of the dessert intensified as the chef flambéed his baked Alaskan in final preparation for his guests.

Question 2

Vacuous

Answer 2

adj. having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless

After Ricky’s in depth monologue on the Star Trek series, Shirley flashed a vacuous smile.

Question 3

Elude

Answer 3

v. to fail to be remembered or grasped (transitive)

The student eluded the fact that he had an assignment due tomorrow.

Question 4

Caravansary

Answer 4

n. an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in eastern countries

The travelers were desperately in search for the closest caravansary, as they have been traveling with little water for hours.

Question 5

Libertine

Answer 5

adj. characterized by a disregard of morality

Carl’s libertine remark made Sharon angry and upset.

Question 6

Magnanimous

Answer 6

adj. very generous or forgiving, esp. to someone of higher power or enemy

She was too magnanimous to stand up for herself when others had said rude things to her.

Question 7

Erroneous

Answer 7

adj. containing error

Question 8

Supercilious

Answer 8

adj. arrogant; haughty

Question 9

Cynical

Answer 9

adj. believing that people are generally selfish + dishonest

Question 10

Ineffable

Answer 10

adj. unable to express

Question 11

Garrulous

Answer 11

adj. talking too much

Question 12

Unscrupulously

Answer 12

adv. not honest or fair; doing wrong things

Question 13

Luminosity

Answer 13

n. the state of intilectual brilliance

Question 14

Redolent

Answer 14

adj. having a strong smell

Question 15

Rancor

Answer 15

n. the state of feeling bitter

Question 16

Superfluous

Answer 16

adj. beyond what is needed

Question 17

Pervade

Answer 17

v. to become spread throughout all parts (transitive)