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 There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
affectionate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
agree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
Carolan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
cattle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
Dalrymple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
exception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
Farrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
frankly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
governess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
independent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
possessing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
Queensland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
relative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
relatives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
Six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
warmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was nothing mysterious about Sheila Carolan; her story was a very simple one.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
worded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six weeks later she received a warmly worded and almost affectionate letter.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two, however, did not agree very well, and Sheila being of a very independent spirit, and possessing a few hundred pounds of her own, frankly told her relative that she intended to make her own way in the world.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was living in North Queensland a former great friend of her mother's--a Mrs. Farrow, whose husband was the owner of a large cattle station near Dalrymple--and to her she wrote asking her if she could help her to obtain a situation as a governess.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her parents were both dead, and she had no relatives, with the exception of an aunt, and with her she had lived for the last five years.
