Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida followed behind him with absolute noiselessness.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Ida followed behind him with absolute noiselessness.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
breathlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
corridor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
erect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
gait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
ghostlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
grasping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
gravity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
hesitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ida followed behind him with absolute noiselessness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
Ida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
intently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
moonlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
noiselessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida followed behind him with absolute noiselessness.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
puzzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
sinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
stumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
terrace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
weirdly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida had followed her father across the terrace, across the hall, lit weirdly by the glow of the sinking fire and the pale moonlight, up the broad stairs, along the corridor to the open door of his room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were both ghostlike in their movements, and the dogs stood and watched them intently, ears erect, and with that gravity in their eyes which dogs wear when they are puzzled.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The old man closed his door softly, still without any hesitation, and Ida, grasping the broad rail of the staircase, waited breathlessly.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He had walked slowly but steadily with his usual gait, and his head bent slightly; though his eyes were wide open, he seemed to see nothing, yet he did not stumble or even hesitate.
