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 I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been difficulties—there always are.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There had been difficulties—there always are.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
August
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been difficulties—there always are.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
coincidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
collecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
custom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
Denry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
difficulties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been difficulties—there always are.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
Earp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
elsewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
exists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
Five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been difficulties—there always are.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
indefinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
obviously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
rents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
resort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
Ruth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
seaside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
thereof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
Thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thus it happened to Denry and to Ruth Earp.
Towns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
weekly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A business man who lives by collecting weekly rents obviously cannot go away for an indefinite period.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I In the Five Towns, and perhaps elsewhere, there exists a custom in virtue of which a couple who have become engaged in the early summer find themselves by a most curious coincidence at the same seaside resort, and often in the same street thereof, during August.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And a young woman who lives alone in the world is bound to respect public opinion.
