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 When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
amazed
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
bedroom
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
beds
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
begged
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
Boy
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From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
bright
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
burst
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From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
call
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
children
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
children's
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
CrueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
dared
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
dressing
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
early
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
empty
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
English
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From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
entered
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
finding
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
foolscap
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
gone
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
Happened
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From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
inscription
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
Legend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
lingered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
LittlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
meaning
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From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
Men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
nonappearance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
Orphan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
pinned
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From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
Placard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
Punished
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From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
read
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From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
reason
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From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
requests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
Rescue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
Runaways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
Startling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
Swallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
Teased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
Tells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
ThempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
wake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
