Maniac Magee

Maniac MageeManiac Mageevocabulary

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.