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 SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
buy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
compliments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
Court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
derive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
doll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
Dressmaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
Eugene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
godchild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
goddaughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
godfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
Hertfordshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
Humbugshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
interposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
knows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
OUT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
persuade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
plaintively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
pricking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
SCOUTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
snappishly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
tricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘No,’ replied Miss Wren snappishly; ‘if you want one, go and buy one at the shop.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘—is to be put upon the cold footing of the general public, and is to derive no advantage from my private acquaintance with the Court Dressmaker?’
Wrayburn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
Wren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading SCOUTS OUT ‘And so, Miss Wren,’ said Mr Eugene Wrayburn, ‘I cannot persuade you to dress me a doll?’
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And my charming young goddaughter,’ said Mr Wrayburn plaintively, ‘down in Hertfordshire—’ (‘Humbugshire you mean, I think,’ interposed Miss Wren.)
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘If it’s any advantage to your charming godchild—and oh, a precious godfather she has got!’—replied Miss Wren, pricking at him in the air with her needle, ‘to be informed that the Court Dressmaker knows your tricks and your manners, you may tell her so by post, with my compliments.’
