The Great Gatsby Vocabulary

Front 1

audacious

Back 1

daring, fearless

- noun: audacity
- positive connotation (daredevils are audacious, courageous) but used both ways

Tom has the audacity to invite Nick to New York to hang out with him and his mistress.

Front 2

capricious

Back 2

fickle, subject to whim

- Someone who does things on the spur of a moment.
- Daisy is capricious. Does what she wants when she feels like it.
- negative connotation
- Someone capricious might fly off to Capri in a moment's notice.

Front 3

exigent

Back 3

urgent

- exigence = exit quickly

Front 4

glib

Back 4

speaking in a smooth, easy manner
- a smooth-talker is glib
- slightly negative connotation
- Glib = Gatsby

Gatsby's glibness creates an air of mystery about him.

Front 5

implausible

Back 5

difficult to believe, not possible

- plausible = believable

Gatsby's attendance to Oxford is implausible because of his reaction to being asked about it.

Front 6

opulence

Back 6

expression of great wealth

- Buchanan's house
- Tom's car
- difference from ostentatious is taste: opulence is tasteful
- opal: subdued, beautiful, tasteful
- positive connotation

Front 7

ostentatious

Back 7

overly and unnecessarily showy

- Gatsby's house
- Gatsby's yellow car
- difference from opulence is taste: ostentatious is distasteful wealth
- ostrich: showing off
- negative connotation

Front 8

parvenu

Back 8

one of humble origins who has gained wealth and position

- Jay Gatsby is a parvenu

Front 9

pecuniary

Back 9

monetary

- relating to money
- Nick has pecuniary concerns, he is not wealthy.

Front 10

proclivity

Back 10

inclination, preference, predilection

Gatsby has a proclivity for hosting extravagant parties.

Proclivity for living on the edge.

Front 11

urbane

Back 11

suave, sophisticated

- Gatsby projects urbanity. Tom is not.
- Someone who lives in an urban environment is supposed to be urbane.

Front 12

prodigal

Back 12

wasteful

Gatsby is prodigal with champagne.