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 ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
barefooted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
chattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
Clarence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
creeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
flit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
glimmering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
half-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
interrogationnounUS /ɪnˌter.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
The formal questioning of a suspect by police detectives or magistrates.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
LONGFELLOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONGFELLOW.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
nothing's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
Pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
recognise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fire, however, I had, and by its light, on the second night after Christmas, I saw my door noiselessly opened, and Clarence creeping in half-dressed and barefooted.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
sleepless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
Ted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my frightened interrogation the answer came, through chattering teeth, ‘It’s I—only I—Ted—no—nothing’s the matter, only I can’t stand it any longer!’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.’
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR want of being able to take exercise, the first part of the night had always been sleepless with me, though my dear mother thought it wrong to recognise the habit or allow me a lamp.
