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Hatchet vocabulary words from Gary Paulsen's novel

This list is for students reading Hatchet, Gary Paulsen's novel about a boy surviving alone in the wilderness after a plane crash. It gathers vocabulary that relates to survival, the forest setting, and the main character's emotions throughout the story. Look up a word before or after reading a chapter to build understanding of the text.

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Hatchet vocabulary words from Gary Paulsen's novel

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
hatchetnoun	A small axe with a short handle, designed to be swung with one hand.	He used a hatchet to split kindling before lighting the campfire.
survivalnoun	The state of continuing to live or exist, especially through or after a difficult or dangerous situation.	The stranded hikers focused entirely on survival until the rescue team arrived.
wildernessnoun	A large area of land that remains in its natural state, largely untouched by human development.	They hiked for days through the wilderness without seeing another person.
shelternoun	A structure or place that provides protection from weather, danger, or harm.	Hikers took shelter under a rocky overhang when the storm suddenly hit.
tindernoun	Dry, easily flammable material used to start a fire.	He gathered dry leaves and twigs as tinder before lighting the campfire.
kindlingnoun	Small dry sticks or material used to start a fire.	We gathered kindling from the forest floor before lighting the campfire.
embernoun	A small piece of glowing or smoldering coal or wood, especially in a dying fire.	A single ember glowed in the fireplace long after the flames had died down.
forageverb	To search widely for food or supplies, especially in the wild.	Squirrels forage for acorns and nuts before the first snowfall of winter.
rationnoun	A fixed amount of food or another scarce resource officially allowed to each person, especially during shortages.	During the war, each family received a weekly ration of sugar, butter, and meat.
hypothermianoun	A dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold.	Rescuers wrapped the stranded hiker in blankets to prevent hypothermia.
exhaustionnoun	A state of extreme physical or mental tiredness that leaves a person unable to continue easily.	After the marathon, he collapsed onto the grass from sheer exhaustion.
solitudenoun	The state of being alone, especially when it is peaceful or chosen freely.	She treasured the solitude of early mornings before the rest of the house woke up.
instinctnoun	An innate, unlearned pattern of behavior or a natural tendency to act in a certain way without conscious reasoning.	Her instinct told her something was wrong before anyone said a word.
predatornoun	An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.	The lion is a top predator that hunts across the open savanna.
carcassnoun	The dead body of an animal, especially one that has been slaughtered or has decayed.	Vultures gathered around the carcass left behind by the lions.
marrownoun	The soft, fatty tissue inside bones that produces blood cells; also a large green vegetable related to squash.	Bone marrow transplants can help treat certain types of blood cancer.
snarenoun	A trap, often a noose made of wire or cord, used to catch small animals.	The hunter set a snare near the rabbit trail at the edge of the woods.
signalnoun	A sign, gesture, or transmitted message that conveys information or a warning to someone.	The referee's whistle was the signal for both teams to stop playing.
wreckagenoun	The remains of something that has been badly damaged or destroyed, such as a vehicle or building.	Investigators searched through the wreckage of the plane for clues about the crash.
turbulencenoun	Violent or unpredictable movement of air or water, or a state of conflict and disorder.	The plane shook violently as it passed through severe turbulence over the mountains.
pilotnoun	A person trained and licensed to fly an aircraft or navigate a ship through difficult waters.	The pilot announced that the flight would land twenty minutes ahead of schedule.
despairnoun	A complete loss of hope, often leading to a feeling of hopelessness.	She felt a wave of despair after losing her job for the second time that year.
resourcefuladjective	Skilled at finding quick and clever ways to solve problems or overcome difficulties.	The resourceful campers built a shelter from branches after losing their tent.
persevereverb	To keep trying to achieve something despite difficulty, delay, or discouragement.	Despite failing the exam twice, she chose to persevere and study even harder.
self-reliancenoun	The ability to think and act for oneself and manage one's own needs without depending on others.	Growing up on a remote farm taught her a strong sense of self-reliance.
campfirenoun	An outdoor fire, usually built with wood, around which people gather while camping.	We sat around the campfire telling stories and roasting marshmallows until midnight.
undergrowthnoun	Dense shrubs, small plants, and bushes growing beneath the taller trees of a forest.	They hacked their way through thick undergrowth to reach the hidden waterfall.
moosenoun	A very large deer native to northern forests, the male of which has broad, flat antlers.	We spotted a moose wading through the shallow lake at dawn.
porcupinenoun	A large rodent covered in sharp, protective spines called quills.	The porcupine raised its quills when the dog approached too closely.
mosquitonoun	A small flying insect whose females bite and feed on blood, sometimes spreading diseases in the process.	A single mosquito buzzing near the tent kept us awake all night.

Vocabulary connected to Hatchet's story

Hatchet follows Brian Robeson after a plane crash leaves him alone in the Canadian wilderness, so many words here relate to survival skills, such as shelter, tinder, kindling, and forage. Others describe the emotional and physical toll of being stranded, including exhaustion, solitude, and despair. Reading these words alongside the novel helps connect its vocabulary to the challenges Brian faces chapter by chapter.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hatchet vocabulary used for?

It helps readers understand words tied to survival, wilderness settings, and emotional struggle that appear throughout the novel.

Are these words specific to certain chapters of Hatchet?

No, this list is a general sampler based on the novel's overall themes rather than a chapter-by-chapter breakdown, since page numbers vary by edition.