The Great Gatsby Vocab: Chapters 3-4

Behaviors or ways of speaking that are not natural and are used to impress others or appear more important

Her affectations, like using French words in every sentence, annoyed her friends.

A ghost or spirit that appears suddenly and unexpectedly; something strange that seems to appear out of nowhere

The old woman claimed she saw an apparition of her late husband standing by the window.

Real and genuine; not fake or pretended

The museum confirmed that the painting was a bona fide work by the famous artist.

A loud, unpleasant, harsh noise, like the sound cats make when they fight

The caterwauling from the street kept her awake all night.

The lowest singing voice in women, or a singer who has this type of voice

The contralto sang the opening lines of the song in a deep, rich, and beautiful voice.

Friendly, lively, and enjoyable; relating to good company and a warm social atmosphere

The restaurant had a convivial atmosphere that made everyone feel welcome and relaxed.

Sweet drinks made from fruit juice, often mixed with water; also sweet alcoholic drinks served in small glasses

After dinner, the host offered his guests a selection of fruit cordials to enjoy.

A gradual increase in loudness in music, or more generally, a gradual building up to a peak or climax

The orchestra played with a powerful crescendo at the end of the symphony.

Sounding harsh or unpleasant because notes or sounds do not go well together; not in agreement

The discordant notes from the broken piano made it difficult to enjoy the performance.

Strong disagreement among members of a group, often causing conflict or argument

There was serious dissension among the team members about how to complete the project.

Small circular movements of water, air, or smoke that spin around opposite to the main current or flow

We watched the eddies forming in the river around the large rocks.

The side of a person, animal, or object; also the side or edge of a group of soldiers or an army

The soldiers moved quietly around the flank of the enemy to avoid being seen.

A comic character from traditional theatre who wears a costume with a diamond-shaped pattern in many colors; also used to describe something with many bright colors

The children laughed at the harlequin who performed funny tricks at the circus.

The quality of being cheerful, confident, and lively in appearance or manner

There was a certain jauntiness in the way he walked into the room that showed he was in a great mood.

A feeling of deep sadness that lasts for a long time, often without a clear reason

A deep melancholy came over her as she looked through old photographs of her childhood.

Very small, narrow streams of water or other liquid

Rivulets of sweat ran down his face after the long race in the summer heat.

In a way that shows you feel embarrassed or ashamed because you have done something wrong or silly

He sheepishly admitted that he had forgotten his mother's birthday.

In a careful and sensitive way that avoids hurting someone's feelings

She tactfully told her colleague that his presentation needed more preparation.

Confident, polite, and comfortable in social situations; having smooth and polished manners

The urbane diplomat handled every difficult question with calm and grace.

Relating to or resembling wine; having the qualities, color, or smell of wine

The sauce had a rich, vinous flavor because the chef had cooked it with red wine.