English KS3 Vocab

Year 7 – Autumn term Main (The Hobbit)

Curious

Interested in learning about people or things around you.

Apprehensive

Feeling worried about something that you are going to do or that is going to happen.

Meticulous

Very careful and with great attention to every detail.

Adventurous

Willing to try new or difficult things.

Domestic

Belonging or relating to the home, house or family.

Intimidating

Making you feel frightened or nervous.

Infuriate

To make someone extremely angry.

Bewildered

Confused and uncertain.

Vulnerable

Able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked.

Ominous

Suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen.

Deceptive

Making you believe something that is not true.

Obsessive

Thinking about something or someone, or doing something, too much or all the time.

Destructive

Causing, or able to cause, damage.

Possessive

Having or showing an excessive desire to possess, control, or dominate.

Quest

A long search for something that is difficult to find, or an attempt to achieve something difficult.

Year 7 – Autumn term Enrichment (Chaucer)

Heroic

Being admirably brave or determined

Villainous

Someone guilty of wicked, sinful or criminal behaviour

Gallant

Courteous, gallant and respectful. Often used to describe a man’s behaviour towards a woman

Honourable

Held in high regard and deserving of respect.

Chivalrous

Respectful and gallant, especially towards women (typically used of a man or his behaviour)

Stereotypical

Relating to a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Sinful

Wicked and immoral; committing or characterised by the committing of sins/highly reprehensible. – disgraceful, shameful, criminal

Corrupt

Having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.

Status

The position held in society

Hierarchy

A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority

Pilgrim

Someone who undertakes a journey for religious reasons

Pilgrimage

A journey made to a place of religious importance

Devotion

Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or activity. Religious worship or observance

Sacrifice

Giving up something valued for the sake of something more important or worthy

Portrayal

How someone or something is presented

Year 7 – Spring term Main (Frankenstein)

Reckless

Unconcerned about the consequences of actions. Being careless.

Ambitious

A strong desire to achieve; for instance, achieving success, power, wealth or a specific goal.

Immoral

If you describe someone or their behaviour as immoral, you believe that their behaviour is morally wrong. Immoral behaviour is not conforming to accepted standards.

Arrogant

Unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people.

Naive

Having or showing a lack of experience, judgement, or information.

Monstrous

Frightful, hideous and shocking.

Irrational

Not using reason or clear thinking.

Innocence

The quality of not having much experience of life and not knowing about the bad things that happen in life.

Desperation

The feeling that you have when you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to take risks in order to change it.

Animalistic

If you describe a person or their behaviour as animalistic, you mean that they do not try to hide or control their basic feelings and physical needs – they are behaving like an animal.

Integrate

To mix with and join society or a group of people, often changing to suit their way of life, habits, and customs.

Solitude

The situation of being alone without other people.

Remorseful

Feeling sad and guilty.

Despondent

Unhappy and with no hope or enthusiasm.

Vengeful

Expressing a strong wish to punish someone who has harmed you or your family or friends.

Year 7 – Spring term Enrichment (Myths and Legends)

Myth

A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

Legend

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.

Fable

A supernatural story incorporating elements of myth and legend.

Allusion

An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

Temptation

The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.

Deception

An act or statement which misleads or hides the truth

Curiosity

A strong desire to know or learn something.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence.

Tyrant

A cruel and oppressive ruler.

Perspective

A particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Omniscient

Knowing everything.

Avenge

Inflict harm in return for (an injury or wrong done to oneself or another).

Excessive

More than is necessary, normal, or desirable; immoderate.

Fate

The development of events outside a person’s control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power.

Quest

A long journey to find something.

Year 7 Summer term (Shakespearean comedy)

Bard

Shakespeare is often called this – it is now a title bestowed upon someone who is a masterful poet.

Reconciliation

The restoration of friendly relations.

Separation

The action of moving or being moved apart.

Chaotic

In a state of complete confusion and disorder.

Resolution

The action of solving a problem.

Deception

An act or statement which misleads or hides the truth.

Noble

Belonging by rank, title, or birth to the aristocracy.

Tragedy

A form of drama based on human suffering.

Relief

A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from distress.

Enchanted

Subject to magical influence and or filled with charm.

Besotted

Strong infatuation with someone.

Portrays

To describe someone/something in a particular way.

Allude

To make indirect reference to something else.

Honour

To show great respect to someone or something.

Dishonour

To bring shame or disgrace to someone or something.

Year 7 Summer term (Man Vs Nature)

Melancholy

A feeling of pensive (thoughtful) sadness without really knowing why.

Spontaneous

Doing something as an impulse/instantly without planning.

Sublime

Of very great excellence or beauty.

Conflict

To be incompatible or at variance; clash

Connotations

What we associate with an idea or a word.

Annotate

Adding notes to a text, giving specific explanations or comments.

Innocence

Not having much experience of life.

Logical

Of or according to the rules of logic or formal argument.

Monologue

A speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud

Anarchy

A society in chaos and without law and order.

Year 8 Autumn term Main (Noughts and Crosses)

Ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning. Not clear or decided.

Abrupt

i) Sudden and unexpected. ii) Brief to the point of rudeness.

Relentless

Continuing in a severe or extreme way.

Victimised

To treat someone in an intentionally unfair way, often because of their race, sex or beliefs.

Disconcerting

Making someone feel uncertain and uncomfortable, or worried.

Tension

An unsettling feeling of nervousness and apprehension before or during an important or difficult event.

Segregation

The act of keeping one group of people apart from another and treating them differently, especially because of race, sex, or religion.

Ignorance

Lack of knowledge, understanding, or information about something.

Prejudiced

Showing an unreasonable dislike for something or someone.

Discrimination

Treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex or sexuality.

Equality/inequality

Equality – the right of different groups of people to have a similar social position and receive the same treatment.

Justice/injustice

Justice – fairness in the way people are dealt with.

Rebellious

If a group of people are rebellious, they oppose the ideas of the people in authority and plan to change the system, often using force.

Empathy

The ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation.

Retaliation

The act of hurting someone or doing something harmful to someone because they have done or said something harmful to you.

Year 8 Autumn term Enrichment (Dystopian)

Dystopia

An imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice.

Utopia

An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

Acrid

Unpleasantly sharp, pungent, or bitter to the taste or smell.

Derelict

In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.

Oppressed

Governed in an unfair and cruel way and prevented from having opportunities and freedom.

Apocalyptic

Showing or describing the total destruction and end of the world, or extremely bad future events.

Corruption

Illegal, bad, or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power.

Totalitarian

Of or being a political system in which those in power have complete control and do not allow people freedom to oppose them.

Perspective

A particular way of considering and seeing something.

Underdog

A person or group of people with less power or opportunities than the rest of society.

Dominance

The quality of being more important, strong, or successful than anything else of the same type.

Divisive

Used to describe something that causes great, and sometimes unfriendly disagreement, within a group of people.

Chaotic

In a state of complete confusion and disorder.

Monotonous

Not changing and therefore boring.

Conformity

Behaviour that follows the usual standards that are expected by a group or society.

Year 8 Spring term Main (Macbeth)

Ambition

A strong desire to do or achieve something.

Dominant

Having power and influence over others.

Manipulative

Influencing, or attempting to influence, the behaviour or emotions of others for one’s own purposes.

Masculinity

Qualities or attributes typically linked with men.

Femininity

Qualities or attributes typically linked with women.

Emasculate

To deny a man his male role or identity.

Commanding

Showing authority.

Noble

Having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles.

Regicide

A person who kills or takes part in killing a king.

Treason

The crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill or overthrow the sovereign or government.

Sceptical

Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.

Sinister

Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.

Betrayal

Being disloyal.

Prophecy

A prediction of what will happen in the future.

Supernatural

Being above or beyond what is natural.

Year 8 Spring term Enrichment (Gothic)

Entrapment

The state of being caught in or as in a trap

Apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

Dilapidated

(Of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect

Grotesque

Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted

Disfigured

Having an appearance that is spoiled/ugly

Discomfort

Make someone feel uneasy or anxious

Withered

Dry and shrivelled (of a plant) Shrunken or wrinkled from age or disease (of a body)

Anguish

Severe mental or physical pain or suffering:

Alienated

Experiencing or inducing feelings of isolation or estrangement

Sinister

Something/someone that seems evil or harmful

Wretched

You describe someone as wretched when you feel sorry for them because they are in an unpleasant situation or have suffered unpleasant experiences that have caused them physical or emotional harm

Claustrophobia

Extreme or irrational fear of confined places

Obscurity

1. the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant.
2. a thing that is unclear or difficult to understand

Enigma

Someone/something that is mysterious or difficult to understand

Remote

(Of a place) situated far from the main centres of population; distant

Year 8 Summer Term Main (Poetry)

Neglected

To not give enough care or attention to someone or something that is your responsibility.

Despairing

Showing or feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation.

Alienated

Feeling that you have no connection with the people around you or that you are not part of a group.

Individuality

The qualities that make a person or thing different from others.

Judgemental

To form opinion too quickly especially in a negative or disapproving way of someone or something.

Perceived

To become aware or conscious of (something) or to interpret (someone or something) in a particular way.

Tormented

Something or someone that causes great mental or physical suffering and unhappiness.

Didactic

Intended to teach people a moral lesson.

Representative

Typical of or the same as others in a group of people or things.

Conform

To behave according to the expected behaviour of a group or of society.

Alternative

Something that you can use if you do not want to use another one or Things that are considered to be unusual and often have a small but enthusiastic group of people who support them.

Conventional

Following the accepted and ordinary ways of doing something.

Unconventional

Doing something different from the way people normally do something.

Outcast

A person who has no place in their society or in a particular group, because the society or group refuses to accept them.

Innocence

The fact that someone is not guilty of a crime or the quality of not having much experience of life and not knowing about the bad things that happen in life.

Year 8 Summer Term (Dickens)

Solemn

Formal and dignified

Injustice

Lack of fairness

Destitute

Extremely poor

Superiority

The state of being superior, better than someone else

Solitary

Alone

Covetous

Wanting something that someone else has

Avaricious

An extreme greed for wealth

Surplus

Something left over when everything needed has been taken

Dismissive

Not considering something

Irrelevant

Not connected or relevant to something

Intolerable

Unable to stand something

Monotonous

Dull, tedious, repetitive

Mundane

Lacking interest or excitement

Malevolent

A wish to do evil to others

Devious

Using underhand tactics to achieve goals

Year 9 Autumn term (Ruby in the Smoke)

Subvert

To undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

Intriguing

Arousing one’s curiosity or interest; fascinating.

Disconcerting

Causing one to feel unsettled.

Squalid

Extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.

Audacious

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

Disorientating

Causing a feeling of confusion.

Liberate

Set (someone) free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression.

Enlightened

Give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation.

Enslave

Cause (someone) to lose their freedom of choice or action.

Immoral

Not conforming to accepted standards of right or wrong behaviour.

Inequality

Where groups of people do not receive the same treatment as other groups of a similar social position.

Revelation

A surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed to others.

Justification

The action of showing something to be right or reasonable.

Revenge

The action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.

Exploit

Make use of (a situation) in a way considered unfair or underhand.

Year 9 Autumn term Enrichment (Crime and Detective genre)

Curious

Eager to know or learn something.

Apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

Moral

Having high principles for proper way to behave and having a strong sense of what is right or wrong.

Culprit

Person responsible for a crime or misdeed.

Suspense

A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

Sensationalism

The presentation of stories in a way that is intended to provoke public interest or excitement, at the expense of accuracy.

Mystery

Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.

Intrigue

Arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate.

Meticulous

Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

Ambiguity

Being open to more than one interpretation.

Turmoil

A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

Motive

A reason for doing something.

Tension

Mental or emotional strain.

Gruesome

Causing repulsion or horror; grisly.

Year 9 Spring term (Of Mice and Men and A Raisin in the Sun)

Hierarchy

A system in which people or things are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance.

Marginalised

To treat someone or something as if they are not important.

Segregated

Set apart or separated from others.

Victimised

To single (someone) out for cruel or unjust treatment.

Authoritative Commanding and self-confident.

Derogatory Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.

Inferior Lower in rank, status, or quality.

Inevitable Certain to happen; unavoidable.

Fragility The quality of being easily broken or damaged.

Patriarchy A male dominated society/arrangement where men hold power.

Year 9 Spring term (Diversity)

Otherness

The quality or fact of being different.

Marginalise

Treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral.

Segregate

Set apart from the rest or from each other; isolate or divide

Isolate

Set apart from others or quarantine

Ostracise

Exclude from a society or group

Discrimination

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

Vulnerable

(A person) in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect:

Alienation

A state of depersonalization or loss of identity

Ethnocentrism

Evaluation of other cultures according to one’s own culture.

Exoticism

Style or traits considered characteristic of a

Dominance

Power and influence over others:

Barbarianism

A primitive, less advanced ethos or attitude

Year 9 Summer term (Romeo and Juliet)

Feud

A long and bitter dispute.

Impulsive

Acting

Suddenly and without prior thought.

Volatile

Likely to change suddenly or unexpectedly.

Naïve

Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement.

Maternal

Characteristic of a mother or motherhood – motherly.

Belligerent

Hostile and aggressive.

Obedient

Doing, or willing to do, what you have been told to do by someone in authority:

Passionate

Displaying intense emotion or strong feeling.

Dutiful

Doing everything that is expected of you.

Lustful

A very powerful feeling of wanting something.

Idealistic

Believing that very good things can be achieved, even when this seems unlikely.

Tyrannical

Cruel and unjust power or control.

Honour

High respect; great esteem.

Melancholic

Expressing feelings of deep sadness and serious thought.

Exile

To send someone away from their own country or home.

Year 9 Summer term (Communication)

Caricature

A picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

Stereotype

A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Contradiction

A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another.

Bias

Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair.

Manipulation

The action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way.

Political

Expressing communications that express a specific opinion on current events or political processes or that disseminate information relevant to the interpretation of those events or processes.

Persuasive

Encouraging someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation.

Coherent

Forming a united whole: logical and clear

Cohesion

Cohesion concerns the flow of sentences and paragraphs from one to another. It involves the tying together of old information and new.