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 This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The accepted theory was that Penrod had been arrested.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
arrested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The accepted theory was that Penrod had been arrested.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
breathtaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
carelessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
dumfounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
emptiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
exhibition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The accepted theory was that Penrod had been arrested.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
impressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
inimitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
investigators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
maddened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
nod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
noticeably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
Penrod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The accepted theory was that Penrod had been arrested.
Penrod's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
rubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even after school, Penrod gave numerous maddened investigators no relief.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
sensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
sinister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
snatched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
Spence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
strolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
students
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
superhuman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
theory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The accepted theory was that Penrod had been arrested.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, at first supposed to be a superhuman exhibition of sheer audacity, became but the more dumfounding when Miss Spence--looking up from her desk--greeted him with a pleasant little nod.
vacant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The returning students, that afternoon, observed that Penrod's desk was vacant--and nothing could have been more impressive than that sinister mere emptiness.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading How breathtaking, then, the sensation when, at the beginning of the second hour, he strolled--in with inimitable carelessness and, rubbing his eyes, somewhat noticeably in the manner of one who has snatched an hour of much needed sleep, took his place as if nothing in particular had happened.
