The Great Gatsby Vocabulary Chapters 5-9

fortuitous

(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance

nebulous

(adj.) cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confused, indistinct; lacking definite form, shape, or content.

redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

defunct

(adj.) no longer in existence or functioning, dead

turgid

(adj.) swollen, bloated, filled to excess; overdecorated or excessive in language; inflated, pompous

ineffable

Unutterable, indescribable

contingency

a future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty

humidor

a humid place or container for storing cigars, tobacco, etc

tumult

a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.

debauchee

a man who leads a life of reckless drinking, promiscuity and self-indulgence

divot

a piece of turf dug out of a grass surface, especially by a golf club or by horses' hooves

pasquinade

a satire or lampoon, especially one posted in a public place

vestibule

a small entryway within a building

vestige

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists; a hint

rancor

bitter resentment or ill-will; hostility

superfluous

exceeding what is sufficient or required, excess

garrulous

given to much talking, tediously chatty

intermittent

occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady

commensurate

of like measure

portentous

of momentous or ominous significance

insidious

stealthy, subtle, cunning, or treacherous

obstinate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

surmise

suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

dilatory

tending to delay or procrastinate

façade

the face of a building, especially the principal front that looks onto a street or open space.