adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
adornverbUS /əˈdɔːrn/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
basketnounUS /ˈbæskət/
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
bownounUS /baʊ/
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
CHARLOTTE'SnounUS /ˈʃɑːrləts/
possessive form of “charlotte” — the largest city in North Carolina; located in south central North Carolina
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
cheerfulest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
forgetverbUS /fərˈɡet/
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/
inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
freezingnounUS /ˈfriːzɪŋ/
the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
jumpedverbUS /dʒʌmpt/
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
lavenderadjectiveUS /ˈlævəndər/
of a pale purple color
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
outdooradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtdɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place in the open air
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
PROBLEMSnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
RuthnounUS /ruːθ/
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
Ruth'snounUS /ruːθs/
possessive form of “ruth” — United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
sweet-grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
tyingnounUS /ˈtaɪɪŋ/
the act of tying or binding things together
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
violentlyadverbUS /ˈvaɪələntli/
in a violent manner
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ruth was absorbed in the tying of a gorgeous lavender bow which was to adorn a sweet-grass basket standing on the table near her.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading May I come in and stay a little while?"
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading In Ruth's room the fire was evidently doing its best to make one forget that it was winter and almost Christmas.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading So intent was she on her work that she heard no footsteps in the hall, and she jumped violently when a voice at the door said, "Well, this is the cheerfulest place I've found.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading CHARLOTTE'S PROBLEMS There was a cold rain, freezing as it fell, and the outdoor world looked cheerless and forsaken.
