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 GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
believes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
classes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
COLLEGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
conscientiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
die
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
GOOD-BY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
Hallowell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
Nelson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
Oklahoma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
pang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
periods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
Priscilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
privately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
realization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
Ruth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
Southey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A number of letters passed between Nelson Hallowell and his friend in Oklahoma before the great step was decided on.
stifling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
sweetest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
tantalizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GOOD-BY COLLEGE had opened; but they had slipped into it so quietly that there hardly seemed to be a break.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
vowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So a week after the beginning of classes found the four girls trying conscientiously to live in the present, and stifling vague, tantalizing memories of the past three months.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For Peggy and Priscilla, perhaps, there was a bit of a pang at the realization that this was the last year of what would probably be one of the sweetest periods in their lives to look back on; and they privately vowed to make it rich in experience and the beauty of living.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ruth and Amy, like Southey's brother who said that "no young man believes that he will ever die," felt that college life would never, could never, end.
