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 “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
alter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
attitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
Beth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
colors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
Cortlandts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
cousins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
designs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
dozens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
glittering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
granted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
HOLLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
JOLLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
ornaments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
Other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
RHYME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
sizes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
spoil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She asked to have Tim from the stable “to do the ladder part,” as she put it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
trim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
trimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “HOLLY AND JOLLY RHYME” Christmas eve was a busy one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Beth took it for granted that she and her cousins were to trim the tree themselves, and it so fell out.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beth was given authority over it, as it was to be her party, and, after she got over being afraid to decide any question put to her lest she should decide wrong and spoil the tree, she enjoyed her dignity just as much as she enjoyed the glittering ornaments of many sizes, colors and clever designs which had been ordered in dozens for her tree.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other years the young Cortlandts’ tree had been trimmed for them, but this year the fact that the tree was intended to give poor children pleasure seemed to alter every one’s attitude toward it.
