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 Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
afterward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
changes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
Clayton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
commenced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
distinctness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
epoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
momentous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
Months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
Natalie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
pertaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
replies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
retrospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Natalie's silence during the drive, broken only by his few questions and her brief replies.
Spencer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Everything pertaining to the dinner, save the food, stood out with odd distinctness.
Summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
trace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
Valentines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Months afterward, Clayton Spencer, looking back, realized that the night of the dinner at the Chris Valentines marked the beginning of a new epoch for him.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading All that was clear was that in retrospect he always commenced with that evening, when he was trying to trace his own course through the months that followed, with their various changes, to the momentous ones of the following Summer.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he never quite understood what it was that had caused the change.