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 Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
absence
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From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
also
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From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
always
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From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
asking
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From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
back
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From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
Bellenger
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From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
bereavement
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From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
Boston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
California
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
chanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
cheering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
Deerwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
enliven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
farm-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
Graham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
grandmother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
inactivity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
Lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
projected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
promising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
satisfy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
September
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
solitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
stages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
tasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
Walter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
Walter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lonely indeed was Walter’s life at the farm-house, and not even the cheering letters of Mr. Graham, which always contained a pleasant message from Jessie, had the power to enliven his solitude.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading To this plan Mr. Graham made no objection, and without seeing William, who chanced to be out of the city, Walter went back to Deerwood, while his grandmother also started on her projected visit to Boston.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had tasted of the busy world, and a life of inactivity could not satisfy him now.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The next morning, Mrs. Bellenger, Jessie and Walter returned to the city, the latter promising his family that he would if possible obtain leave of absence from his business for several weeks, and be with them in the first stages of their bereavement.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he wrote at last to Mr. Graham, asking why he could not start at once for California, instead of waiting until September.
