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 "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
BABIES
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From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
booth
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From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
BUSINESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
comprehending
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From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
confessed
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From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
Constance
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From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
Constancite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
disappointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
eh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
EVENnounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
FAIRnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
FUND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
goods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
JOHNNY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
Joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
mushy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
nerve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
Parsons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
poetry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
Pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
rabid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
regretted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I hadn't the nerve to be mushy enough, though--and nothing else seems to be real poetry.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I got one line that listened like the goods, but I couldn't match it up: 'As I lie awake and look at the stars--' Pretty good start, eh?
violet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I did," he confessed with a disappointed laugh.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH JOHNNY EVEN DOES BUSINESS AT THE BABIES' FUND FAIR "I wish I could write poetry," regretted Johnny, looking across at Constance Joy in the violet booth.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why don't you try it?" asked Polly Parsons, following his gaze and comprehending his desire perfectly, for she, too, was a rabid Constancite.
