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 “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
Aunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
bedroom
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From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
bedside
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From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
child
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From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
Clarissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
Elsli
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
Elsli's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
END
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From this reading THE HAPPY END.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
feeble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
fulfil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
HAPPY
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From this reading THE HAPPY END.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
promptness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
regularity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One evening she was even later than usual, and she had hardly seated herself to read her evening prayer when she was surprised to hear Elsli calling her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Elsli’s bedroom opened into that of Aunt Clarissa.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAPPY END.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t feel very well, Aunt Clarissa,” said the child in a feeble voice; and before she had finished speaking her kind friend was at her bedside.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
worry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this time of worry and excitement, when every day so much happened that was new and unexpected, Clarissa found it difficult to fulfil all her household duties with her usual promptness and regularity, so it was often very late before she could get to her room for the night, and she always thought Elsli was fast asleep.
