used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I couldn’t wait.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
creamnounUS /kriːm/
the best people or things in a group
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
the act of departing
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
infectiouslyadverb
in a contagious manner
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
irresistiblyadverbUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbli/
incapable of being resisted
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
Jo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
the sound of laughing
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
joined in matrimony
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
not any; not one
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
in the near future
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
express in words
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
skimverbUS /skɪm/
travel on the surface of water
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
squabbledverbUS /ˈskwɑːbəld/
past form of “squabble” — argue over petty things
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
express in words
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
the act of using
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading I couldn’t wait.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I wanted to be the one to tell you the grand surprise, and have ‘first skim’ as we used to say when we squabbled about the cream.”
at the time that
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading “Of course you did, and spoiled your story by beginning at the wrong end.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “How can I, when the mere idea of you, married and settled, is so irresistibly funny that I can’t keep sober!” answered Jo, smiling all over her face, so infectiously that they had another laugh, and then settled down for a good talk, quite in the pleasant old fashion.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It’s no use your going out in the cold to get Amy, for they are all coming up presently.
