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To Kill a Mockingbird vocabulary

Harper Lee's novel explores prejudice, courage, and moral growth through the eyes of a young narrator, and its vocabulary carries those themes. This list gathers words tied to the trial, the town of Maycomb, and the novel's central questions about fairness and empathy.

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To Kill a Mockingbird vocabulary

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
prejudicenounAn unfair, preconceived opinion about a person or group, usually not based on actual experience or reason.The training program aims to help employees recognize their own unconscious prejudice.
integritynounThe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one follows consistently.The auditor was known for her integrity, refusing to overlook even minor discrepancies.
empathynounThe ability to understand or share another person's feelings and perspective.Listening without interrupting helped her show empathy for her frustrated friend.
couragenounThe ability to face fear, danger, or difficulty without being overcome by it.It took real courage for her to speak up in front of the whole board.
injusticenounUnfair treatment or a lack of fairness within a system or society.The documentary exposed a long history of injustice in the local courts.
innocencenounThe state of not being guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.The new evidence finally proved his innocence after ten years in prison.
moralitynounPrinciples and beliefs concerning what is right and wrong behavior, and the degree to which actions conform to those standards.The novel raises difficult questions about morality during a brutal war.
hypocrisynounThe act of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs that one's own behavior does not match.Critics accused the senator of hypocrisy after he broke the very law he had championed.
tolerancenounThe willingness to accept or endure beliefs, behavior, or conditions different from one's own without objecting.The workshop encouraged greater tolerance of different cultural traditions among employees.
compassionnounA deep feeling of sympathy for someone's suffering, combined with a desire to help.The nurse treated every patient with remarkable compassion and gentle patience.
racismnounPrejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against people based on their race.The report documented widespread racism in the company's hiring practices.
segregationnounThe enforced or systematic separation of people, especially by race, ethnicity, or class.The civil rights movement fought to end racial segregation in public schools.
consciencenounAn inner sense that helps a person judge the moral rightness or wrongness of their own actions.His conscience wouldn't let him keep the extra change the cashier had mistakenly given him.
reputationnounThe general opinion that people hold about someone's character, abilities, or reliability.The restaurant built a strong reputation for fresh ingredients and attentive, friendly service.
gossipnounCasual talk about other people's private lives, often including rumors that may not be entirely accurate.Office gossip spread quickly once someone mentioned the manager's sudden resignation.
defendantnounA person or organization accused of a crime or sued in a court of law.The defendant pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury.
testimonynounA formal statement, especially one given under oath in a court of law, that serves as evidence.The witness gave testimony describing exactly what she saw on the night of the robbery.
verdictnounThe formal decision made by a jury or judge on a disputed question in a trial.The jury deliberated for six hours before delivering a guilty verdict.
acquitverbTo formally declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge.The jury acquitted the defendant after finding insufficient evidence of guilt.
convictverbTo formally declare, through a court, that someone is guilty of a crime.The jury convicted the defendant after only two hours of deliberation.
courtroomnounThe room in a courthouse where trials and legal proceedings take place.The courtroom fell silent as the jury returned with its verdict.
reclusenounA person who chooses to live alone and avoids the company of other people.After the scandal, the once-famous actor became a recluse, rarely leaving his country house.
follynounA lack of good sense; a foolish act, idea, or undertaking, especially one with serious consequences.Investing his entire savings in one stock proved to be a costly folly.
condescensionnounAn attitude of superiority shown toward someone regarded as less important or capable.His condescension toward junior staff made him deeply unpopular in the office.
benevolencenounA disposition to do good and show kindness toward others.The old teacher was known throughout town for his quiet benevolence toward struggling students.
malicenounThe intention or desire to cause harm, suffering, or injury to another person.There was no malice behind the comment; he simply spoke without thinking.
humilitynounA modest view of one's own importance, without arrogance, especially despite notable talent or achievement.Despite winning the award, she accepted it with the same humility she showed on her first day.
dignitynounThe state or quality of being worthy of honor and respect, often shown through a calm, composed manner.She accepted the difficult diagnosis with remarkable dignity.
scornnounA strong feeling of contempt or disdain for someone or something considered unworthy of respect.She treated his excuse with scorn, refusing to believe a word of it.
shamenounA painful feeling caused by awareness of wrongdoing, foolishness, or failure.He felt a deep sense of shame after forgetting his daughter's recital.

Words from the courtroom

The trial at the heart of the novel introduces vocabulary that most readers will recognize from legal dramas. A defendant faces charges, gives testimony, and is either acquitted or convicted based on the jury's verdict. Words like injustice and prejudice describe why the trial's outcome matters so much to the town of Maycomb and to the novel's young narrator.

Frequently asked questions

What vocabulary from To Kill a Mockingbird chapter 11 relates to courage?

Chapter 11 introduces words like folly and condescension as Scout learns a different definition of courage from her neighbor, one that has little to do with physical bravery.