The Outsiders is a novel written in 1967, by a well-known young adult American writer S.E. Hinton. This novel tells the story of a 14-year-old Pony boy Curtis and his two older brothers, Soda and Darry. These boys are orphans and struggle to remain together in their lower-class neighborhood, which is known as the East Side. They and their friends are associated with a gang of tough professional street boys, which are known by the name – The Greasers.
The Outsiders Vocabulary Words
Following are the vocabulary words with meanings used in The Outsiders novel:
| Word | Meaning |
| asset | an advantage or source of strength. |
| unfathomable | not capable of being understood or grasped. |
| rivalry | a continued striving for advantage over another |
| gingerly | cautiously; carefully |
| sagely | wisely; knowingly |
| roguishly | in a mischievous way. |
| incredulous | not ready to believe; doubting. |
| nonchalantly | in a casual and unenthusiastic manner |
| abiding | obeying. |
| digested | thought over, absorbed. |
| sophisticated | experienced in worldly ways |
| aloofness | the state of being uninterested and unsympathetic |
| elite | superior; top |
| resignedly | patiently accepting; in an unresisting way |
| ember | a glowing piece of wood, coal, etc |
| apprehensive | anxious or fearful; uneasy |
| defiance | open, bold resistance to authority |
| contemptous | scornful; despising |
| sheepish | acting embarrassed or ashamed |
| premonition | a feeling that something is about to occur |
| imploringly | in a pleading, begging manner |
| sullenly | in a gloomy, silent, surly way |
| hue | color, especially a tint or shade |
| subside | to sink back or down; become lower |
| elude | to escape understanding; baffle |
| wistfully | longingly; in a wishful manner |
| doggedly | in a stubborn or persistent way |
| conviction | strong belief |
| detached | uninvolved; indifferent; disinterested |
| racking | agonizing; tormenting |
| radiate | to send out rays; to beam or shine |
| manslaughter | unlawfully killing another without planning in advance |
| brawn | strength; physical power |
| recurring | occurring again and again |
| aghast | shocked; horrified; terrified |
| exploit | daring act or heroic deed |
| faltered | spoke hesitantly; stammered |
| jet | black, usually high polished |
| divert | draw to another direction; turn from its course |
| conformity | acting according to general rules or standards |
| ruefully | regretfully; sorrowfully |
| taut | not slack; pulled tight |
| contract | to draw together; shrink |
| stricken | tortured; agonized; heartbroken |
| delirious | wildly irrational; mentally wandering |
| clad | dressed; wearing |
| idolized | adored; worshipped; blindly admired |
| hearing | an appearance in front of a judge before trial |
| guardian | protector; one who watches over another |
| flinching | withdrawing or shrinking from |
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