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 Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
AlonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
attitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
checked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
classical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
cousin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
crown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
Jean's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
merriment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
Muir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
robes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
shyness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
substituted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
throne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
unchanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
wearily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.