Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List

Act I

1. Augment— (verb) to make greater or supplement

Example:

2. Boisterous— (adjective) rowdy or rough

Example:

3. Valiant— (adjective) courageous

Example:

4. Pernicious— (adjective) very destructive or harmful

Example:

5. Portentous— (adjective) dealing with a sign, forewarning, or omen

Example:

6. Posterity— (noun) future generations

Example:

7. Profane— (adjective) showing contempt toward sacred things

Example:

8. Choler— (noun) anger, irritability

Example:

9. Virtuous— (adjective) having excellent morals; righteous

Example:

10. Prodigious— (adjective) extraordinary, marvelous

Example:
 Multiple Choice

Circle the letter of the word that best fits the definition.

1. Harmful 6. Righteous
a. virtuous a. tacit
b. erudition b. virtuous
c. pernicious c. prim

2. To make greater 7. Showing contempt

a. choler a. profane
b. augment b. spectral
c. shrill c. adversary

3. Anger
a. choler 8. Rowdy
b. amiable a. malevolent
c. omnipotent b. staid
c. boisterous
4. Marvelous
a. prodigious 9. Sign
b. calamity a. lithe
c. lament b. pious
c. portentous
5. Future generations
a. supercilious
b. squall 10. Courageous
c. posterity a. tenacious
b. valiant
c. caustic

Now choose any FIVE words from the Act 1 list to incorporate into a creative story of
at least 5-10 sentences. Be sure to use the words in the correct context.
 Completing the Sentence

Use each vocabulary word once to complete the following sentences.

augment boisterous valiant pernicious portentous

posterity profane choler virtuous prodigious

1. My friend always tries to do the right thing. I would say he is very

___________________________________.

2. My father went on a __________________________ rage after I crashed the car.

3. The clouds appeared very _____________________________--signaling that a

storm was approaching.

4. I wanted to _____________________ my pay check by mowing my neighbor’s

lawn for some extra money.

5. The _________________ man saved the woman from the burning house.

6. I am saving my family photo album for__________________________.

7. Fans are very ___________________________ at a rock concert.

8. My mother says it is _________________________ to laugh in church.

9. It is a _____________________________ feat to break a world record.

10. I am trying to control my temper so I do not possess too

much______________________________.
 Visual Representations

For each vocabulary word in the boxes below, draw a picture that will help you
remember the word. Then use the word in your own original sentence. The first
one has been done for you.

1. augment: I’ll get another job to augment my salary.

2. boisterous:

3. valiant:

4. pernicious:

5. portentous:

6. posterity:

7. profane:

8. choler:

9. virtuous:

10. prodigious:
 Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
Act II

1. Enmity— (noun) absolute hatred

Example:

2. Feign— (verb) to pretend

Example:

3. Baleful— (adjective) destructive, deadly

Example:

4. Wanton— (adjective) immoral, lewd

Example:

5. Poultice— (noun) remedy

Example:

6. Unwieldy— (adjective) clumsy; difficult to carry because of bulk or weight

Example:

7. Sallow— (adjective) a sickly, yellowish hue

Example:

8. Peril— (noun) danger

Example:

9. Repose—(noun or verb) rest or relaxation; to rest

Example:

10. Blazon— (verb) to announce or proclaim

Example:
 Matching

Match the following words to the best definition. Put the letter on the line.

____1. danger a. poultice

____2. sickly hue b. blazon

____3. immoral c. enmity

____4. remedy d. feign

____5. to announce e. baleful

____6. to pretend f. wanton

____7. rest g. unwieldy

____8. clumsy h. sallow

____9. hatred i. peril

___10. deadly j. repose

Now choose any FIVE words to incorporate into a creative story of at least 5-10
sentences. Be sure to use the words in the correct context.
 Synonyms and Sentences

For each of the Act 2 Words you will find synonyms listed below. First write the
vocabulary word from your list that is a synonym. Then use each word in an original
sentence of your own.

1. Counterfeit; fake…..Vocab. Word:________________________________

Sentence: ____________________________________________________________

2. Bloodless; pale-faced; yellowish….. Vocab. Word:______________________

Sentence: ______________________________________________________________

3. Jeopardy; danger…..Vocab. Word:___________________________________

Sentence: ______________________________________________________________

4. Animosity; ill-will…..Vocab. Word:___________________________________

Sentence: _____________________________________________________________

5. Ease; quiet; peace; rest…..Vocab. Word:_________________________________

Sentence________________________________________________________________

6. Deadly; destructive…..Vocab. Word:____________________________________

Sentence: ______________________________________________________________

7. Unprincipled; immoral; unscrupulous….. Vocab. Word:____________________

Sentence: _______________________________________________________________

8. Cure; remedy…..Vocab. Word:_______________________________________

Sentence: _______________________________________________________________

9. Cumbersome; clumsy…..Vocab. Word: _________________________________

Sentence:

10. Announce; proclaim…..Vocab. Word: _____________________________

Sentence:
 Visual Representations

For the pictures below, write the word that is being shown in the picture. Then explain
why you chose that particular word. Chose from these words: poultice, repose, blazon,
enmity.

1._______________ 2. _____________

Why chosen____________ Why chosen__________

______________________ ____________________
______________________ ____________________
______________________ ____________________

3. ___________________ 4. ____________________

Why chosen ______________ Why chosen ____________

________________________ _______________________
________________________ _______________________
________________________ ________________________
Visual Representations Continued…Now you draw a picture on the next page for the
last six words and explain how your drawing will help you remember the
definition.

5. Feign:

Explanation of Drawing: _____________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

6. Baleful:

Explanation of Drawing: ___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

7. Wanton:

Explanation of Drawing: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

8. Unwieldy:

Explanation of Drawing: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

9. Sallow:

Explanation of Drawing: ___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

10. Peril:
Explanation of Drawing: __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
Act III

1. Ascend—(verb) to move upward

Example:

2. Beguile—(verb) to deceive or mislead

Example:

3. Calamity—(noun) a serious event causing misfortune

Example:

4. Asunder—(adverb) into separate parts or pieces

Example:

5. Jocund—(adjective) cheerful, merry

Example:

6. Valor—(noun) courage, bravery

Example:

7. Abhor—(verb) to hate; to shun

Example:

8. Effeminate—(adjective) unmanly; characteristics of a woman

Example:

9. Adversity—(noun) a state of hardship or misfortune

Example:

10. Gallant—(adjective) stately, majestic, showy

 Example:

Synonyms/Definitions

Put the word from the box on the line.

ascend beguile calamity

ascend beguile calamity asunder
asunder jocund valor
jocund valor abhor effeminate

adversity gallant
abhor effeminate adversity gallant

1. courage, bravery___________________________________________________

2. womanly _________________________________________________________

3. showy, majestic_____________________________________________________

4. into separate parts___________________________________________________

5. hatred_____________________________________________________________

6. cheerful, merry_____________________________________________________

7. to deceive or mislead________________________________________________

8. a serious event causing misfortune_____________________________________

9. to move upward_____________________________________________________

10. a state of hardship__________________________________________________

Now choose any FIVE words to incorporate into a creative story of at least 5-10
sentences. Be sure to use the words in the correct context.
 Completing the Sentence

Use each vocabulary word once to complete the following sentences.

ascend beguiles calamity asunder jocund

valor abhor effeminate adversity gallant

1. His main goal in life is to ______________________ the social ladder.

2. His shop teacher told him to file the metal _______________________________.

3. I __________________________ the thought of studying, but sometimes we have

to do things we don’t like.

4. A true hero shows _______________________________ even when facing

danger.

5. He overcame ______________________________ by winning the race, despite

his prosthetic leg.

6. It bothers me when boys are made fun of for acting too

_____________________________________.

7. Her __________________________ attitude was contagious, causing everyone at

the party to have a fun time.

8. If a leader __________________________________ his followers, he should

never expect to be trusted again.

9. The earthquake in Mexico was a ________________________________.

 10. The king’s _________________________ behavior was a little too showy for my
liking.

Visual Representations

Match the word to its picture. Then explain your choice. In the blank area on the right
hand side of the page, draw your own pictures of the remaining five words, and explain
how your picture will help you remember the definition.

1.__________________________ 6. _______________

Why chosen_________________ Explanation:

___________________________
___________________________

2._________________________ 7. _________________

Why chosen_________________ Explanation:

___________________________
__________________________

3._______________________ 8. ____________________
Why chosen________________ Explanation:
__________________________
_______________________

4._______________________ 9. ___________________

Why chosen_______________ Explanation:

_________________________
_________________________

5. __________________________ 10. __________________

Why chosen__________________ Explanation:

____________________________
____________________________
 Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
Act IV

1. Dirge—(noun) funeral hymn, lament

Example:

2. Prostrate—(verb) to bow or kneel down in humility or adoration

Example:

3. Doleful—(adjective) sad, melancholy

Example:

4. Solace—(noun) comfort

Example:

5. Shroud— (noun) burial cloth

Example:

6. Amend—(verb) to improve or make better

Example:

7. Inundate—(verb) to flood; overflow

Example:

8. Dismal—(adjective) causing gloom or depression

Example:

9. Pensive—(adjective) melancholy; thoughtfulness

Example:

10. Loathsome—(adjective) extremely dislikable

Example:
 Synonyms

You will find each of the following sentences/phrases in Act 4 of Romeo and Juliet. Write
a synonym for the underlined words below to help you better understand the words when
you see them in context.

1. “To stop the inundation of her tears.” _________________________________

2. “My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now.”_________________________

3. “And hide me with a dead man in his shroud.”__________________________

4. “By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here.”______________________________

5. “My dismal scene I needs must act alone.”______________________________

6. “But one thing to rejoice and solace in…”______________________________

7. “Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change.”_____________________________

8. “Ay, by my troth, the case may be amended.”_____________________________

9. “And doleful dumps the mind oppress.”__________________________________

10. “So early waking—what with loathsome smells.”__________________________

Now choose any FIVE words to incorporate into a creative story of at least 5-10
sentences. Be sure to use the words in the correct context.
 Completing the Sentence

Use each vocabulary word once to complete the following sentences.

dirge prostrate doleful solace shroud

amend inundate dismal pensive loathsome

1. The music was so morose and solemn that it sounded like a

___________________________.

2. Citizens of a democracy have the right to ______________________ their laws.

3. After hearing that he killed his wife, I find him very

_____________________________.

4. The ________________________________ chiming of the bells created at

atmosphere of sadness.

5. Please don’t _______________________________ us with homework tonight.

6. I find it rather depressing that she wove her own burial

______________________.

7. Although my dog died, I find _______________________________ in spending

time with my cat.

8. The rain is making this a rather ___________________________ day.

9. I was in such a ________________________ mood that I didn’t pay much

attention to what was happening around me because I was so absorbed in my own
thoughts.
 10. The man would ___________________________ each time he entered the church
to show respect for his god.

Visual Representations

Use the space below to draw your own picture, find clip art, or cut out pictures from
magazines for each of the 10 vocabulary words from this act. Make sure the picture
helps you remember the definition. Write the word next to each picture, and be prepared
to defend your choices in class.
 Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
Act V

1. Ambiguous— (adjective) doubtful or uncertain

Example:

2. Haughty—(adjective) proud to the point of arrogance

Example:

3. Scourge—(noun) a means of afflicting severe suffering or punishment

Example:

4. Pestilence—(noun) fatal epidemic or plague

Example:

5. Penury—(noun) extreme poverty

Example:

6. Presage—(noun) something that foreshadows a future event

Example:

7. Peruse—(verb) to read or examine with great care

Example:

8. Sepulcher—(noun) burial vault

Example:

9. Vile—(adjective) loathsome, disgusting

Example:

10. Ensign—(noun) a sign, flag, banner

 Example:

Synonyms/Sentences

Write a synonym for each vocabulary word below. You may want to use a thesaurus for
this activity. Then use each word in an original sentence.

1. Ambiguous…..Synonym:______________

Sentence:_________________________________________________________

2. Haughty…..Synonym:___________

Sentence:_________________________________________________________

3. Scourge…..Synonym:_________________

Sentence:____________________________________________________________

4. Pestilence …..Synonym:________________

Sentence:___________________________________________________________

5. Penury…..Synonym:_____________________

Sentence:_______________________________________________________________

6. Presage…..Synonym:_____________________

Sentence:_______________________________________________________________

7. Peruse…..Synonym:______________________

Sentence:_____________________________________________________________

8. Sepulcher…..Synonym:______________________________

Sentence:_____________________________________________________

9. Vile…..Synonym:_______________________

Sentence:__________________________________________________________
 10. Ensign…..Synonym:___________________________

Sentence:________________________________________________________

Completing the Sentence

Use each vocabulary word once to complete the following sentences.

ambiguous haughty scourge pestilence penury

presage peruse sepulcher vile ensign

1. __________________________ test questions are frustrating since more than one

answer seems to be correct.

2. The ______________________________ on his uniform made it clear that he

was a distinguished officer.

3. I will _____________________________ this magazine article while I’m in the

waiting room.

4. Her _____________________________ attitude is not helping her make any

friends at her new school.

5. After noting his ___________________________, I decided to treat him to

dinner.

6. In my opinion, dissecting animals is a _______________________ thought.

7. If you insist on hurting others, you may find yourself repaid with a
____________________________________.

8. In Shakespeare’s days, people were quarantined if there was even the slightest
suspicion that someone was infected with ____________________________.
 9. He traced his ancestry by studying the inscriptions in the family
______________________________________.

10. Many people believe rainbows are a ______________________ of good luck.

Visual Representations

Choose the vocabulary word that best fits the visual provided. Then choose four of the
remaining words and draw a picture that will help you remember the definition. Use your
Act 5 list for this activity.

1._______________ 5. ________________________

2.________________ 6. __________________________

3._____________ 7. ___________________________
4.__________________ 8. ___________________________