Animal Farm by George Orwell is a timeless classic, simple on the surface yet filled with deep meaning and symbolism. It's a story of animals rising against humans, mirrors real-world revolutions and politics, all told in clear and engaging English.
For learners and beginners, Animal Farm is an excellent book to enhance vocabulary and improve reading fluency. The language is not too complex, but certain words might pause your reading or make you open a dictionary mid-story, and that can break the rhythm.
That’s why this post was created- it contains chapter-wise word meanings of all the important or tricky words from Animal Farm. You can read the story smoothly, without interruption or the hassle of searching meanings again and again. Just keep this page open beside your reading and enjoy Animal Farm without any break in the flow! 🐑📖
Lurched (verb — past/simple)
Made an abrupt, unsteady movement — to stagger or roll suddenly.
Scullery (noun)
A small room in a house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work; a back kitchen.
Stirring (verb / adjective / noun)
1. (v) Causing movement; 2. (adj) exciting or emotionally moving; 3. (n) the action of mixing or moving.
Fluttering (verb / adjective)
Moving lightly and quickly; trembling or quivering motion (often of wings, cloth, or heart).
Exhibited (verb — past)
Shown publicly or displayed; made visible or revealed.
Ensconced (verb / adjective — past participle)
Settled securely or comfortably in a place; hidden or sheltered.
Stout (adjective / noun)
(adj) Strong, heavy-built, or thick; (n) a type of dark beer. Often: sturdy or brave.
Tushes (noun, plural)
Plural of "tush" — informal: buttocks; (regional) can also refer to small tusks in certain dialects. (Context decides meaning.)
Lest (conjunction)
In case (used to introduce a possibility to be avoided); for fear that.
Mare (noun)
An adult female horse.
Foal (noun / verb)
(n) A young horse, especially one less than a year old; (v) to give birth to a foal.
Seldom (adverb)
Not often; rarely.
Paddock (noun)
A small enclosed field or enclosure where animals, especially horses, are kept or exercised.
Brood (noun / verb)
(n) A group of young produced at one hatching or birth; (v) to think anxiously or worry, or to sit on eggs to hatch them.
Trodden (adjective / past participle)
Worn or pressed down by being stepped on (past participle of "tread").
Mincing (verb / adjective)
(v/adj) Taking small, delicate steps; acting with affected daintiness or refinement.
Daintily (adverb)
In a delicate, careful, or refined manner.
Perch (noun / verb)
(n) A place where a bird rests; (v) to sit or rest on something elevated or narrow.
Grumble (verb / noun)
(v) To complain in a low voice or mutter dissatisfaction; (n) a low complaint.
Knacker (noun)
A person who buys worn-out or dead animals to dispose of them or to salvage parts (Brit.); also a place where such animals are processed.
Foxhounds (noun, plural)
A breed of hunting dogs trained to track and chase foxes; used in packs for fox hunting.
Falter (verb)
To hesitate or lose strength or momentum; to waver.
Astray (adverb / adjective)
Away from the correct path or direction; into error or misguidance.
Trotter (noun)
1. The foot of an animal used for trotting (esp. pig's foot used as food); 2. A person who trots or travels a lot; also a small horse bred for trotting.
Hoarse (adjective)
Having a rough or harsh voice, often because of illness or shouting.
Clime (noun)
A poetic or literary word for climate or region; the weather conditions of a place.
But (conjunction / preposition)
Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been said; except.
Spit (verb / noun)
(v) To force saliva from the mouth; (n) saliva or a small narrow point of land projecting into water.
Tidings (noun, plural)
News or information (usually used in the plural, e.g., "good tidings").
Pre-eminent (adjective)
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way.
Vivacious (adjective)
Attractively lively and animated.
Inventive (adjective)
Having the ability to create or design new things or think originally.
Rabbiting (verb)
Talking continuously about unimportant things; also hunting rabbits.
Wits (noun)
Mental sharpness and intelligence; the ability to think quickly.
Triumph (noun/verb)
A great victory or achievement; to be victorious or successful.
Flung (verb — past)
Past tense of fling; to throw something with force.
Sprang (verb — past)
Past tense of spring; to jump or move suddenly and quickly.
Croaking (verb)
Making a deep, hoarse sound like that of a frog or raven.
Gallop (verb)
To move fast with all four feet off the ground in each stride (for horses).
Knoll (noun)
A small hill or mound.
Ecstasy (noun)
An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.
Gambolled (verb — past)
To run or jump about playfully; frolic.
Clods (noun)
Lumps of earth or clay.
Scullery (noun)
A small kitchen or room used for washing dishes or other dirty household work.
Shoved (verb — past)
Pushed roughly or with force.
Squealer (noun)
One who informs on others; in the novel, the name of a persuasive pig.
Rings (noun)
Circular bands, often made of metal; in context, nose-rings of animals.
Tarred (verb/adjective)
Covered or smeared with tar; associated with something unpleasant or dirty.
Toiled (verb — past)
Worked extremely hard or continuously.
Horse rake (noun)
A farming tool drawn by a horse, used to gather hay or straw into piles.
Reins (noun)
Long narrow straps attached to a horse’s bit, used to control or guide it.
Tramp (verb)
To walk heavily or noisily, especially over a long distance.
Conceived (verb — past)
Formed or developed an idea, plan, or concept in the mind.
Doled (verb — past)
Distributed in small portions; given out sparingly.
Cockerels (noun)
Young male chickens; roosters.
Grumbled (verb — past)
Complained in a bad-tempered but quiet way.
Shirked (verb — past)
Avoided doing one’s duty or work.
Hoof (noun)
The hard covering on the foot of animals such as horses or cows.
Paddock (noun)
A small field or enclosure where animals are kept or exercised.
Indefatigable (adjective)
Persisting tirelessly; never showing signs of fatigue or giving up.
Perch (noun/verb)
A resting place, especially for a bird; or to sit or rest on something high.
Whelped (verb — past)
Gave birth to (young), especially of a dog or other carnivorous mammal.
Weaned (verb — past)
Accustomed a young mammal to food other than its mother’s milk.
Seclusion (noun)
The state of being private and away from other people.
Squealer (noun)
A persuasive speaker or informer; in the story, the pig who spreads propaganda.
Pleadingly (adverb)
In a manner that shows someone is asking for something earnestly or emotionally.
Wickedness (noun)
The quality of being evil or morally wrong.
Contemptible (adjective)
Deserving of hatred or strong disapproval.
Elms (noun — plural)
Large trees with broad leaves, often found in temperate regions.
Din (noun)
A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
Smithies (noun — plural)
Workshops where blacksmiths work with metal.
Slighted (verb — past)
Insulted or treated as unimportant.
Muted (adjective)
Quiet or softened in sound, color, or tone.
Geese (noun — plural)
Large water birds similar to ducks, with long necks.
Pecked (verb — past)
Struck or bitten with a beak.
Skirmishing (verb — present participle)
Engaging in minor fights or battles; small-scale combat.
Manoeuvred (verb — past)
Moved skillfully or carefully; managed to position strategically.
Prodded (verb — past)
Poked or jabbed with a finger or a pointed object.
Ignominious (adjective)
Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
Manger (noun)
A trough or open box in which food for livestock is placed.
Impromptu (adjective/adverb)
Done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed.
Hawthorn (noun)
A type of small tree or shrub with thorns and red berries, often used as a hedge.
Blithely (adverb)
In a carefree, happy, or cheerful manner.
Prance (verb)
To move with high, springy steps, often in a lively or proud way.
Galloped (verb — past tense)
Moved quickly on horseback; ran fast with a bounding stride.
Breeches (noun)
Short trousers fastened just below the knee, worn especially for riding.
Acreage (noun)
An area of land measured in acres.
Canvassing (verb — present participle)
Trying to persuade people to support or buy something; seeking votes or opinions.
Knoll (noun)
A small, rounded hill or mound.
Closeted (verb — past tense)
Kept in a private place; secluded for discussion or planning.
Aloof (adjective)
Not friendly or forthcoming; emotionally distant or reserved.
Chaff-cutters (noun)
Machines used to cut straw or hay into small pieces for animal feed.
Eloquence (noun)
Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.
Sordid (adjective)
Involving immoral or dirty actions; morally degraded.
Whimper (verb)
To make low, weak crying sounds expressing fear or pain.
Hedge (noun)
A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
Dismayed (adjective)
Feeling distressed or disappointed by something unexpected.
Forelock (noun)
A lock of hair growing just above the forehead.
Shrill (adjective)
High-pitched and piercing in sound.
Disinterred (verb — past tense)
Dug up a body or object that was buried; unearthed.
Sly (adjective)
Clever in a deceitful or secretive way.
Cunning (adjective)
Skillful in achieving goals by deceit or evasion; clever in a tricky way.
Page (noun)
A sheet of paper in a book, or metaphorically, a phase or moment in life.
Persuasively (adverb)
In a convincing or influential way.
Quarry (noun)
A place where stone, rock, or other materials are extracted; also, an object of pursuit or attack.
Cockerel (noun)
A young male chicken; a rooster.
Plod (verb)
To walk heavily or slowly, as if with great effort.
To and from (phrase)
Indicating movement in both directions; back and forth.
Gale (noun)
A very strong wind; also, a burst of emotion or laughter.
Ignominious (adjective)
Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
Crept (verb — past)
Moved slowly and quietly, often to avoid being noticed.
Indignation (noun)
Anger or annoyance caused by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
Knoll (noun)
A small rounded hill or mound.
Chapter 7
Minorca pullets (noun — plural)
Young female chickens of the Minorca breed.
Thwart (verb)
To prevent someone from accomplishing something; to oppose successfully.
Decreed (verb — past)
Officially ordered or announced.
Capitulated (verb — past)
Surrendered or gave in to pressure.
Beech spinney (noun)
A small wooded area primarily consisting of beech trees.
Frequenting (verb — present participle)
Visiting a place regularly.
Creeping (verb — present participle)
Moving slowly and quietly to avoid being noticed.
Gnawed (verb — past)
Bitten or chewed persistently.
Mislaid (verb — past)
Lost temporarily; put in a wrong place.
Snout (noun)
The nose and mouth of an animal, especially a pig or dog.
Stupefied (adjective)
Shockingly surprised or unable to think clearly.
Cowered (verb — past)
Crouched down in fear.
Sternly (adverb)
In a strict or severe manner.
Countenance (noun)
A person’s face or facial expression.
Tumult (noun)
A loud, confused noise, often caused by a crowd; disorder.
Goose (noun)
A large water bird with a long neck, related to ducks.
Crept (verb — past)
Moved slowly and quietly to avoid being noticed.
Knoll (noun)
A small rounded hill or mound.
Lumbering (adjective/verb)
Moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way.
Quarry (noun)
A hunted or pursued animal; also a place for extracting stone.
Huddled (verb — past)
Crowded together closely, often for warmth or protection.
Gilded (adjective)
Covered with a thin layer of gold; also, made to appear more attractive than it really is.
Chapter 8
Retinue (noun)
A group of advisers, assistants, or followers accompanying an important person.
Trumpeter (noun)
A person who plays the trumpet; a herald or messenger.
Lest (conjunction)
For fear that; to avoid the possibility that something happens.
Impending (adjective)
About to happen; imminent.
Clamoured (verb — past)
Shouted loudly and insistently; made a noisy outcry.
Contemplated (verb — past)
Thought about carefully; considered deeply.
Scoundrels (noun — plural)
Dishonest or unscrupulous people.
Machinations (noun — plural)
Plots or schemes, often secret and deceitful.
Gander (noun)
A male goose; also used informally to mean “a look” or glance.
Privy (adjective)
Sharing in the knowledge of something secret or private.
Hitherto (adverb)
Up to this time; until now.
Censured (verb — past)
Expressed strong disapproval or criticism.
Bewilderment (noun)
A state of confusion or puzzlement.
Forsook (verb — past)
Abandoned or left behind.
Gambolled (verb — past)
Jumped or played about in a lively, carefree way.
Ecstasies (noun — plural)
States of overwhelming joy or delight.
Cunning (adjective)
Skillful in achieving goals through deceit or cleverness.
Beatifically (adverb)
In a blissfully happy or serene manner.
Hullabaloo (noun)
A commotion, fuss, or noisy disturbance.
Flung (verb — past)
Threw something with force.
Forgeries (noun — plural)
Falsely made or copied documents or objects, often for deceitful purposes.
Sentinels (noun — plural)
Guards or watchers stationed to keep watch.
Sallied (verb — past)
Set out briskly, especially on a military or energetic expedition.
Chinks (noun — plural)
Small cracks or narrow openings.
Hearse (noun)
A vehicle used to carry a coffin to a funeral.
Procession (noun)
An organized line of people or vehicles moving together ceremonially.
Gallop (verb)
To run fast, especially for a horse.
Stirring (adjective)
Exciting, moving, or rousing strong emotions.
Lamentation (noun)
Expression of grief or sorrow.
Tiptoe (verb)
To walk quietly and carefully on the toes.
Contrived (adjective)
Deliberately created rather than arising naturally; artificial.
Sprawling (adjective)
Spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.
Gored (verb — past)
Pierced or wounded with a horn or tusk.
Detour (noun)
A longer or alternative route taken to avoid something.
Ferociously (adverb)
In a savagely intense or violent manner.
Poultices (noun)
Soft, moist substances spread on cloth and applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation.
Fleas (noun)
Small, wingless insects that live by sucking blood from animals.
Piebald (adjective)
Having irregular patches of two colors, typically black and white, used for animals.
Precincts (noun)
The enclosed or defined area around a building or place, especially a church or college.
Complicity (noun)
The state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.
Stratagem (noun)
A clever plan or scheme used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end.
Contemptuously (adverb)
In a scornful or disrespectful way, showing disdain.
Stout (adjective)
Strong, thick, and sturdy in build; courageous or determined.
Brutes (noun)
Savage, violent, or insensitive people or animals.
Demeanour (noun)
A person’s outward behavior or bearing.
Oration (noun)
A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.
Interment (noun)
The burial of a corpse in a grave or tomb.
Wreath (noun)
An arrangement of flowers or leaves, typically hung or laid as a tribute.
Laurels (noun)
Honors or recognition for achievement.
Uproarious (adjective)
Characterized by loud noise, laughter, or chaos.
Chapter 10
Inebriates (noun / verb)
(Noun) People who are drunk or intoxicated. (Verb) To make someone drunk.
Rheumy (adjective)
Watery or runny, especially of the eyes or nose, due to old age or illness.
Morose (adjective)
Sullen, gloomy, or ill-tempered.
Taciturn (adjective)
Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
Denounced (verb — past)
Publicly declared to be wrong or evil; condemned openly.
Untrodden (adjective)
Not walked on; untouched or unexplored.
Trifle (noun)
A small or insignificant amount; something of little value or importance.
Subsisted (verb — past)
Maintained or supported oneself, especially at a minimal level.
Witticism (noun)
A clever or funny remark or saying.
Placate (verb)
To calm or soothe someone who is angry or upset.
Afflicted (verb — past participle)
Suffered or was affected by pain, hardship, or distress.
Reading is most enjoyable when you understand every word and can stay immersed in the story. With these chapter-wise word meanings, you can explore Animal Farm without breaks, building your vocabulary naturally as you read.
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