The giver vocabulary

chortle

A chortle is a joyful, partly muffled laugh. If you have a toddler, you will recognize the sound of a delighted chortle, sort of louder and a bit more raucous than a giggle.

chastisement

Chastisement is the act of scolding or punishing someone. If you talk back to your stern teacher, you won't be surprised by the chastisement that follows.

petulant

Choose the adjective, petulant, to describe a person or behavior that is irritable in a childish w

serene

Choose the adjective, serene, to describe someone who is calm and untroubled. If you tell someone horrible news and they remain serene, you might wonder if they heard you!

humiliation

Humiliation describes a strong feeling of embarrassment or mortification — like that time in sixth grade when your mother wiped your face and called you "honey bunny" in front of all your friends.

awkward

If you are awkward, chances are you are uncomfortable. You could feel socially awkward, like when you forget the host's name. Or, you may feel physically awkward, like when you trip on your way to the podium.

bewilderment

If you spoke nothing but German one day to your English-speaking friends and co-workers, it would probably result in complete bewilderment. Bewilderment is a state of being confused and puzzled.

mischievous

If you're the one making prank phone calls at 3 am and you can't resist short-sheeting your camp counselor's bunk, you're mischievous. If your dog likes to decorate your house with streamers of toilet paper, he's mischievous, too.

reflective

Reflective is an adjective that can describe a person who thinks things through, or a surface that reflects light or sound, like the reflective lettering on a stop sign.

remorse

Remorse, a noun, is what you feel if you regret your actions or wish for another outcome.

fond

To be fond of something is to like it. Sports fans are fond of sports. Oddly, this adjective can also mean foolish and silly.

reassured

To be reassured is to be encouraged and cheered, especially after a period of uncertainty. When you're worried about the safety of a friend who's traveling, you'll be reassured to hear her voice on the telephone.

self-conscious

Use the adjective self-conscious to describe someone who is ill at ease or uncomfortable with himself. A self-conscious person might worry about how he looks or whether he's saying the right things.

envy

Wanting what someone else has and resenting them for having it is envy. If your best friend comes to school with the silver backpack you'd had your eye on all summer, you want to be happy for her, instead you feel bitter envy.

mystified

When you're mystified, you're completely confused. You'll probably feel mystified by the subway system in a foreign country the first time you attempt to use it.