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 As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
afforded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
ample
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
au
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
BARTON'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BARTON'S VISITOR.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
butter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
conciliate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
Darrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
delinquencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
essence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
fait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
hospitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
hospitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
Lipton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
luncheon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
MR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MR.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
neighbours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
revelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
slices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
spoonfuls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
VISITOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BARTON'S VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a rule Mrs. Darrow was not very hospitable--unless there was something to be gained from the exercise of such hospitality.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had been known to go so far as a hot luncheon for certain high and mighty people whom it suited her book to conciliate; but never by any chance had she been known to give a dinner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She revelled in the afternoon tea, because it cost little--a few spoonfuls of "Lipton" and some slices of thin bread and butter--and afforded ample opportunity for that small talk, which was the essence of her life, since it enabled her to keep _au fait_ with her neighbours' delinquencies.
