Gatsby Vocab 5

Too willing to believe what other people tell you without questioning it

The credulous tourist believed every story the street vendor told him.

Behavior that involves too much alcohol, sex, or other pleasures that are considered immoral

The novel describes the debauchery of wealthy young men who wasted their lives on parties and excess.

Full of energy, excitement, and happiness

The exuberant children ran around the playground, laughing and shouting.

Impossible to pass through, enter, or understand

The jungle was so impenetrable that the explorers had to turn back.

Not affected or influenced by something; not allowing anything to pass through

She seemed impervious to criticism and never changed her behavior.

Unable to express thoughts or feelings clearly in words

He became inarticulate with anger and could not explain what had upset him.

Lazy and not wanting to work or make any effort

His indolent attitude meant he rarely finished his assignments on time.

Continuing without any possibility of being stopped or changed

The inexorable rise in living costs made it difficult for many families to save money.

The fact of placing two very different things close together to create an interesting or contrasting effect

The juxtaposition of the old church next to the modern skyscraper was very striking.

A long and boring list of complaints, problems, or other things

The manager listened to the employee's litany of complaints about the new office rules.

Suggesting that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

The dark, ominous clouds in the sky made us cancel our picnic.

Very upset, nervous, or worried to the point of losing control

She was so overwrought after hearing the bad news that she could not stop crying.

So strong or clear that it can almost be felt or touched; obvious

The excitement in the stadium was palpable as the players walked onto the field.

In very bad condition and likely to break or fall apart

They stayed in a ramshackle old cottage with a leaking roof and broken windows.

Expressing disapproval or criticism of someone's behavior

The teacher gave the noisy students a reproving look and they immediately became quiet.

A pleasant daydream or a state of thinking about enjoyable things

She was lost in a reverie about her vacation when her phone suddenly rang.

Very careful to do what is honest, right, or morally correct

The scrupulous accountant always made sure every number in the report was accurate.

Happening suddenly and irregularly, not in a steady or continuous way

He exercised only spasmodically, going to the gym a few times a month at most.

Showing a lack of thought, intelligence, or meaning

His vacuous smile made it clear he had not understood a word of the lecture.

A thin surface layer that hides what something or someone is really like underneath

His polite manner was just a veneer that covered his true selfish nature.