John Branyan's The Three Little Pigs

See video of John Branyan's hilarious stand-up routine, telling the story of the Three Little Pigs in the voice of "classic literature" here.
57 words 122 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. stature
    the height of a standing person
    Not long ago, there lived pigs in stature small...
  2. erect
    upright in position or posture
    The swine set about each to erect for himself and abode.
  3. abode
    any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
    The swine set about each to erect for himself and abode.
  4. domicile
    housing that someone is living in
    Pig number three did erect his domicile stalwart and garish, a structure made from brick entirely.
  5. stalwart
    having rugged physical strength
    Pig number three did erect his domicile stalwart and garish, a structure made from brick entirely.
  6. garish
    tastelessly showy
    Pig number three did erect his domicile stalwart and garish, a structure made from brick entirely.
  7. protagonist
    the principal character in a work of fiction
    Soon there happened along, as is frequently the scenario in classic tale of protagonist pig or red-hooded child, a wolf.
  8. scenario
    a postulated sequence of possible events
    Soon there happened along, as is frequently the scenario in classic tale of protagonist pig or red-hooded child, a wolf.
  9. ensconce
    fix firmly
    He called out to the straw-ensconced swine.
  10. grant
    allow to have
    Pray, little pig, grant me entrance.
  11. sage
    a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics
    But Pig One recalled with sage foreboding that he is mad who trusts in the tameness of a belly-pinched wolf.
  12. foreboding
    a feeling of evil to come
    But Pig One recalled with sage foreboding that he is mad who trusts in the tameness of a belly-pinched wolf.
  13. endeavor
    attempt by employing effort
    Forthwith shall I endeavor by employing means both huffing and puffing to dismantle yon flaxen fortress.
  14. dismantle
    tear down so as to make flat with the ground
    Forthwith shall I endeavor by employing means both huffing and puffing to dismantle yon flaxen fortress.
  15. fortress
    a fortified defensive structure
    Forthwith shall I endeavor by employing means both huffing and puffing to dismantle yon flaxen fortress.
  16. issue
    come out of
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  17. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  18. proportion
    magnitude or extent
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  19. render
    cause to become
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  20. dregs
    sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  21. dross
    worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
    Whereupon there issued forth from the wolf an exhale of gale proportions that quickly rendered straw hovel to dregs and dross.
  22. marshal
    lead ceremoniously, as in a procession
    The marshaling of feral wolf to my doorstep is nowhere among those endeavors amenable or congenial.
  23. feral
    wild and menacing
    The marshaling of feral wolf to my doorstep is nowhere among those endeavors amenable or congenial.
  24. amenable
    disposed or willing to comply
    The marshaling of feral wolf to my doorstep is nowhere among those endeavors amenable or congenial.
  25. congenial
    suitable to your needs
    The marshaling of feral wolf to my doorstep is nowhere among those endeavors amenable or congenial.
  26. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  27. vulnerable
    capable of being wounded or hurt
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  28. eschew
    avoid and stay away from deliberately
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  29. devour
    eat immoderately
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  30. loom
    hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  31. strategy
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
    "Lo and behold," squealed Two. "Stand we now amid wooden wreckage, tremulous and vulnerable, with nary a strategy for eschewing the canine devourer looming in deadly proximity."
  32. diminutive
    very small
    The diminutive swine arrived at their ultimate kindred neighbor's inexpugnable brick ingress unscathed.
  33. ultimate
    furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
    The diminutive swine arrived at their ultimate kindred neighbor's inexpugnable brick ingress unscathed.
  34. kindred
    related by blood or marriage
    The diminutive swine arrived at their ultimate kindred neighbor's inexpugnable brick ingress unscathed.
  35. unscathed
    not injured
    The diminutive swine arrived at their ultimate kindred neighbor's inexpugnable brick ingress unscathed.
  36. possess
    have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
    The third pig hailed from the American colonies, and possessing a vocabulary substantially less robust than his impromptu visitors replied, "Say what?"
  37. substantially
    to a great extent or degree
    The third pig hailed from the American colonies, and possessing a vocabulary substantially less robust than his impromptu visitors replied, "Say what?"
  38. robust
    marked by richness and fullness of flavor
    The third pig hailed from the American colonies, and possessing a vocabulary substantially less robust than his impromptu visitors replied, "Say what?"
  39. impromptu
    with little or no preparation or forethought
    The third pig hailed from the American colonies, and possessing a vocabulary substantially less robust than his impromptu visitors replied, "Say what?"
  40. confounded
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    Still confounded by their importunate words, Pig Three did render ajar his portal, whereupon One and Two spilled through and collapsed beyond the threshold, enervated.
  41. importunate
    making persistent or urgent requests
    Still confounded by their importunate words, Pig Three did render ajar his portal, whereupon One and Two spilled through and collapsed beyond the threshold, enervated.
  42. ajar
    slightly open
    Still confounded by their importunate words, Pig Three did render ajar his portal, whereupon One and Two spilled through and collapsed beyond the threshold, enervated.
  43. portal
    a grand and imposing entrance
    Still confounded by their importunate words, Pig Three did render ajar his portal, whereupon One and Two spilled through and collapsed beyond the threshold, enervated.
  44. enervate
    weaken physically, mentally, or morally
    Still confounded by their importunate words, Pig Three did render ajar his portal, whereupon One and Two spilled through and collapsed beyond the threshold, enervated.
  45. occupy
    live in (a certain place)
    Indeed he would occupy this very alcove were he but afforded the most meager of opportunities.
  46. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
    Indeed he would occupy this very alcove were he but afforded the most meager of opportunities.
  47. afford
    provide access to
    Indeed he would occupy this very alcove were he but afforded the most meager of opportunities.
  48. meager
    deficient in amount or quality or extent
    Indeed he would occupy this very alcove were he but afforded the most meager of opportunities.
  49. engulf
    flow over or cover completely
    House and occupants were again engulfed in a malevolent outburst of wolfish wind.
  50. malevolent
    wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
    House and occupants were again engulfed in a malevolent outburst of wolfish wind.
  51. aghast
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  52. dismay
    the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  53. query
    pose a question
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  54. relentless
    never-ceasing
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  55. torrential
    relating to or resulting from the action of a downpour
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  56. onslaught
    an offensive against an enemy
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
  57. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
    Aghast and dismayed, Pig Two queried of Three, "How does, against such relentless and torrential onslaught, this domicile endure?"
Created on Thu Sep 06 11:24:55 EDT 2012 (updated Thu Sep 06 13:54:30 EDT 2012)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.