Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Chapters 1–3

by Lewis Carroll
Alice falls asleep in a meadow and wakes in a surreal world inhabited by characters such as the White Rabbit, the Red Queen, and the Cheshire Cat. Learn these words from Lewis Carroll's delightful and witty novel.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–8, Chapters 9–12

Here is a link to our lists for Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.
15 words 2638 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. respectable
    deserving of esteem
    ‘But it’s no use now,’ thought poor Alice, ‘to pretend to be two people! Why, there’s hardly enough of me left to make one respectable person!’
  2. passionate
    having or expressing strong emotions
    ‘Not like cats!’ cried the Mouse, in a shrill, passionate voice.
  3. bristle
    react in an offended or angry manner
    ...this time the Mouse was bristling all over, and she felt certain it must be really offended.
  4. vulgar
    lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
    ‘As if I would talk on such a subject! Our family always hated cats: nasty, low, vulgar things! Don’t let me hear the name again!’
  5. sulky
    sullen or moody
    Indeed, she had quite a long argument with the Lory, who at last turned sulky, and would only say, ‘I am older than you, and must know better’; and this Alice would not allow without knowing how old it was, and, as the Lory positively refused to tell its age, there was no more to be said.
  6. usurpation
    wrongfully seizing and holding by force
    William the Conqueror, whose cause was favoured by the pope, was soon submitted to by the English, who wanted leaders, and had been of late much accustomed to usurpation and conquest.
  7. advisable
    worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise
    “Edwin and Morcar, the earls of Mercia and Northumbria, declared for him: and even Stigand, the patriotic archbishop of Canterbury, found it advisable—"
  8. moderate
    marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes
    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, ‘“—found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William’s conduct at first was moderate. But the insolence of his Normans—” How are you getting on now, my dear?’ it continued, turning to Alice as it spoke.
  9. insolence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
    The Mouse did not notice this question, but hurriedly went on, ‘“—found it advisable to go with Edgar Atheling to meet William and offer him the crown. William’s conduct at first was moderate. But the insolence of his Normans—” How are you getting on now, my dear?’ it continued, turning to Alice as it spoke.
  10. melancholy
    characterized by or causing or expressing sadness
    ‘As wet as ever,’ said Alice in a melancholy tone: ‘it doesn’t seem to dry me at all.’
  11. adjourn
    close at the end of a session
    ‘In that case,’ said the Dodo solemnly, rising to its feet, ‘I move that the meeting adjourn, for the immediate adoption of more energetic remedies—’
  12. inclined
    having a preference, disposition, or tendency
    ‘What is a Caucus-race?’ said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that somebody ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.
  13. prosecute
    bring a criminal action against
    Let us...both go to...law: I will...prosecute...you.
  14. denial
    the act of refusing to comply, as with a request
    I’ll take no...denial; We...must have a...trial: For...really this...morning I’ve...nothing...to do.
  15. pretext
    a fictitious reason that conceals the real reason
    On various pretexts they all moved off, and Alice was soon left alone.
Created on Fri Jun 22 16:54:01 EDT 2018 (updated Thu Jul 24 16:57:57 EDT 2025)

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