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 are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
angles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
background
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
corners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there is a hue and cry.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
filling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
FIRS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRS OR FRANCES?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
FRANCES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRS OR FRANCES?
fuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
hue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there is a hue and cry.
humbly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
kindness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
knack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
missed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are such people, and they are seldom very much missed until they go away.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
ORconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE FIRS OR FRANCES?
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are such people, and they are seldom very much missed until they go away.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
shedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
smoothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There are such people, and they are seldom very much missed until they go away.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRS OR FRANCES?
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there is a hue and cry.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There are such people, and they are seldom very much missed until they go away.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is necessary for some people to go away to be missed.
trumpets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
unselfishness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There are such people, and they are seldom very much missed until they go away.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading There are certain very quiet people in the world, who make no fuss, who think humbly of themselves, who never on any occasion blow their own trumpets, who under all possible circumstances keep in the background, but who yet have a knack of filling odd corners, of smoothing down sharp angles, of shedding the sunshine of kindness and unselfishness over things generally.
