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 THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/
any person at all
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
BROTHERS
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From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
children
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From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
coffins
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From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
die
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
filled
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From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
inherit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
kingdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
pillow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
praying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
riches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
sad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
shavings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
TWELVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had them locked up in a private room, the key of which he gave to the queen, praying her not to speak of it to anyone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
wept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading THE TWELVE BROTHERS There were once a king and queen who had twelve children--all boys.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, one day the king told his wife that if a daughter should be born, all the sons must die--that their sister alone might inherit his kingdom and riches.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So the king had twelve coffins made, which were filled with shavings, and in each was the little pillow for the dead.
youngest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the poor mother was so unhappy that she wept for a whole day, and looked so sad that her youngest son noticed it.
