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 party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
abroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
avail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
Congress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
disturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
election
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
foothold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
Frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
GRETCHEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHO IS GRETCHEN?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
intervened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHO IS GRETCHEN?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
outgrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
Park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
retiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
satisfactory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
speculate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
Tracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
troublesome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But speculate as they might, they could reach no satisfactory conclusion, and were obliged to wait for what the morning and the train might bring.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was the question which Mr. and Mrs. Tracy asked each other many times during the hours which intervened between their retiring and rising.
WHOpronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading WHO IS GRETCHEN?
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The party had been a success, and Frank felt that his election to Congress was almost certain; but of what avail would that be if he lost his foothold at Tracy Park, as he was sure to do if a woman appeared upon the scene.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both he and his wife had outgrown the life of eleven years ago, and could not go back to it without a struggle, and it is not strange if both wished that the troublesome brother had remained abroad instead of coming home so suddenly and disturbing all their plans.
