The Outsiders: Chapters 1–3

by S.E. Hinton
In the 1960s, tensions between two rival gangs separated along economic lines reach a violent breaking point.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–12
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. unfathomable
    impossible to come to understand
    He liked fights, blondes, and for some unfathomable reason, school.
  2. rivalry
    the act of competing as for profit or a prize
    Oh, there are a few named gangs around, like the River Kings and the Tiber Street Tigers, but here in the Southwest there’s no gang rivalry.
  3. sage
    having wisdom that comes with experience
    Two-Bit nodded sagely. “Nice cut, too. Makes you look tough.”
  4. concession
    refreshments purchased at a small stand in a larger business
    We went to the rows of seats in front of the concession stand to sit down.
  5. size up
    look at closely in order to form an opinion about
    Cherry looked at him, sizing him up as she had me. Then she smiled softly, and I knew she had him sized up right.
  6. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    She gave him an incredulous look; and then she threw her Coke in his face.
  7. nonchalantly
    in a composed and unconcerned manner
    “Okay,” I said nonchalantly, “might as well.”
  8. bicker
    argue over petty things
    It’s a pack. A snarling, distrustful, bickering pack like the Socs in their social clubs or the street gangs in New York or the wolves in the timber.
  9. incidentally
    by the way (used to introduce a new topic)
    Incidentally, we don’t mind being called greaser by another greaser. It’s kind of playful then.
  10. stricken
    affected by something overwhelming
    He looked up and across the field with a stricken expression on his face.
  11. rumble
    a street fight between rival groups
    He was a good man in a rumble. He stuck up for the gang and kept his mouth shut good around cops.
  12. gallantly
    in a heroic or brave manner
    Two-Bit gallantly offered to walk them home — the west side of town was only about twenty miles away — but they wanted to call their parents and have them come and get them.
  13. sophisticated
    having worldly knowledge and refinement
    We’re sophisticated — cool to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing is real with us.
  14. aloofness
    a disposition to be distant and unsympathetic in manner
    Socs were always behind a wall of aloofness, careful not to let their real selves show through.
  15. elite
    a group or class of persons enjoying superior status
    “And,” Two-Bit added grimly, “a few other of the socially elite checkered-shirt set.”
Created on Mon Jun 09 21:17:22 EDT 2014 (updated Mon Jun 23 10:59:46 EDT 2025)

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