Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
absently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
alarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
combination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
concessions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
father-in-law's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
hardest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
hates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
Hopper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
interrupt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
jig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
pondered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
soften
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Billie and Christmas ought to be a combination that would soften the hardest heart!
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
Talbot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
telephoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
telephoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Hopper, greatly alarmed, thrust his head forward as she pondered this.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It's so late now that of course Roger and Billie will spend the night there.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He drew his hand across his face and fell back with relief as she went on, a little absently:-- "Mr. Talbot hates telephoning, and it might be that my husband is just getting him to the point of making concessions, and I shouldn't want to interrupt.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If she telephoned to her father-in-law's to ask about Billie, the jig would be up!
