Catching Fire (Hunger Games) - Vocabulary List

Capricious describes someone or something that is subject to sudden, unpredictable changes. (adjective)

An example of capricious is someone who decides they don't want to go somewhere while already on the way.

To mollify is to pacify someone or to make something less severe. (verb)

When you apologize to someone who is really mad at you and they calm down a bit, this is an example of mollify.

To engross is to take all of someone's attention. (verb)

When a book is fascinating and takes all your attention, this is an example of when you engross yourself in the book.

a robe worn by friars, monks, etc.

to hit hard; slug

to work hard (at something); toil:

slogging away at her work

Reproach means to blame or shame someone. (verb)

An example of reproach is when you scold your child for coming in an hour past curfew.

Duplicitous means being sneaky or deceitful. (adjective)

An example of a duplicitous person is someone who always lies to get her way.

an open porch or portico, usually roofed, along the outside of a building

Dissent means to differ in opinion. (verb)

An example of dissent is for two children to disagree over who gets to play with a specific toy.

Dissent is a disagreement in opinion. (noun)

An example of dissent is the decision to vote differently from one's friends in the student council election.

make weary or displeased, by too much of something, esp. something sweet, rich, etc.

Precarious means dependent on forces or circumstances outside one's control. (adjective)

An example of precarious is swimming in a rough ocean.

Elation is a feeling of great happiness or joy. (noun)

The feeling you feel when your first child is born is an example of elation.

stupefy or confuse, as with alcoholic drink

to make silly or foolish

Utmost describes something that is most important, most extreme or greatest. (adjective)

The need for food when you are starving is an example of something that would be described as being of the utmost importance.

to cause to become abnormally lean; cause to lose much flesh or weight, as by starvation or disease

Clandestine means something that is done in secret. (adjective)

A meeting in a hidden location is an example of clandestine.

Tantalizing describes getting someone interested or excited, especially when you get someone excited in a teasing manner about something he or she cannot have. (verb)

When you make someone a delicious meal and present it on the table, this is an example of tantalizing the person with food.

Innocuous means not harmful or not likely to offend. (adjective)

An example of innocuous is playful teasing between friends.

Contrite means feeling or expressing sorrow or regret. (adjective)

An example of contrite is the feeling of someone who feels terribly about committing a sin.

Odious describes something that is extremely unpleasant or hated. (adjective)

An example of odious is the taste of rotten milk.

Histrionic describes overly dramatic behavior or something related to acting, or a personality where someone is prone to drama and overreaction. (adjective)

A person who overreacts to every little problem is an example of someone who might be described ashistrionic.

To subdue is to gain control over someone or something or to calm or quiet someone or something. (verb)

An example of subdue is when you manage to calm angry protestors and gain control over the situation.

burdensome; laborious

Vie means to strive to win something. (verb)

An example of to vie is to fight to win a reality show.

To quell is to stop or quiet something. (verb)

An example of quell is to soothe someone’s anger.

To relent is to become less severe, to soften in attitude or temper, or to give up on an intense position. (verb)

An example of relent is when a very hard rain starts to let up a bit.

A spiel is a long-winded speech that usually tries to persuade people to do something. (noun)

An example of a spiel is a speech about why people should buy a certain product.

characterized by coarse or vulgar joking or mocking; esp., dealing with sex in a humorously earthy or direct way

To transgress is to go past a limit or to break the rules of accepted behavior. (verb)

When you commit a sin, this is an example of a time when you transgress.

Segue means to transition from one thing to another without a break. (verb)

An example of to segue is to move from playing one song into another.

Harried means busy, rushed, and annoyed because of stress or because of having too little time. (adjective

A person who is too busy to get everything done is an example of a person who is harried.

An awl is a small tool with a sharp point that is used to punch holes in leather and wood. (noun)

A person using a tool to pierce holes in a belt is an example of a person using an awl.

To assent is to acknowledge something, agree to something or surrender to something. (verb)

An example of a situation in which a parent may assent is when her child continues to whine for candy.