Maniac MageeManiac Magee

vocabulary

chaotic

• adjective• completely disordered or

disorganized• a state of utter confusion

A joyful crowd created a chaotic atmosphere.

dumbfounded

• verb• to confuse, amaze, or

astonish

The poor man was dumbfounded by how to solve the complicated math problem.

stark• adjective•without decoration or softening

effects; plain; simple• adverb• totally• extremely

The landscape is stark, but beautiful.

The players went stark raving mad when they won the state championship.

befuddle

• verb• to confuse or mislead

I was befuddled by the complicated puzzle.

finicky

• adjective• exceptionally fussy or hard

to satisfy

The finicky cat refused to eat her food.

infamous

• adjective•having, deserving, or

causing a bad reputation•notorious or shameful

My dog is infamous for growling at everyone he sees, but he would never hurt anyone.

lambasting

• verb• to scold harshly

The coach lambasted his team for their unsportsmanlike conduct.

hoist• verb • to lift or haul up (usually using

a mechanical device)• page 17

They hoisted the flag to the top of the pole.

flaunting

• verb• to display ostentatiously• to show off

She flaunted her diamond ring whenever she got the chance.

nonchalant

• adjective •not showing excitement or

anxiety• coolly confident

marooned• verb • to leave on an island or

coast, far from other people• abandon

The pirates marooned the children on a desert island.

meandering

• verb • to wind back and forth• to wander in speech or

movement without a goal or direction

The stream meanders through the fields.

The lost puppy meandered through the streets.

stoic

• adjective• showing little or no

reaction to painful or pleasant experiences

The judge’s face remained stoic throughout the trial.