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 These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
arrival
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From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
ARRIVE
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From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
banter
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From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
boys
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From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
Bridgeboro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their silver was not quite so bright, but they gave promise.
budding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
diminutive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
distinguished
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From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
Foxes
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From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
indication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
instructor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
merriment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
mirth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perhaps their silver was not quite so bright, but they gave promise.
notorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
organization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
OTHERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
patrol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their silver was not quite so bright, but they gave promise.
possessing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their silver was not quite so bright, but they gave promise.
propagandist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps their silver was not quite so bright, but they gave promise.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
scouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
scoutmaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
scouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
seriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
Silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
unholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE OTHERS ARRIVE The arrival of the five North Bridgeboro scouts was the occasion of much merriment and banter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These boys from the small village up the river had formed themselves into a patrol but they were two members short of the required number and they had no scoutmaster.
WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Whatever material they had among them for progress in the scouting field, they gave every indication of possessing that quality of unholy mirth which distinguished the notorious Silver Foxes.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whether they took scouting seriously it would be hard to say; if so it must have been a great comfort to them to have wished upon their budding organization such an instructor and propagandist as the diminutive genius whom they were now about to meet.
