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 A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
amused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
applies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
ashamedadjectiveUS /əˈʃeɪmd/
feeling guilt or embarrassment after doing something that causes embarrassment
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
blame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
blush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
Breynton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
celestial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
condition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
fault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
Gypsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
new-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
ORDERnounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
People
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
praiseworthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
prayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
SPASM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
suitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
terrestrial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
theology
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
threading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SPASM OF ORDER "I can't help it," said Gypsy, after supper; "I can't possibly help it, and it's no use for me to try."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your mother was trained in the new-school theology, and she applies her principles to things terrestrial as well as things celestial," observed her father, with an amused smile.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading People are never to blame for what they can't help."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Oh, there it is again!" said Gypsy, with the least bit of a blush, "you always stop me right off with that, on every subject, from saying my prayers down to threading a needle."
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "If you cannot help it," replied Mrs. Breynton, quietly, "then it is no fault of yours, but in every way a suitable and praiseworthy condition of things that you should keep your room looking as I would be ashamed to have a servant's room look, in my house.
