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 It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
bridegroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
builders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
carpenters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
dressmaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
inconvenient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
incumbent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
maids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
neighbours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
Ogilvie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
purchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
repairing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
satin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
scandalized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
sufficiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
travelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
Usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
wedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Is it absolutely incumbent upon me, as the mother of the bridegroom, to dress in grey satin, or have I sufficiently scandalized my neighbours all my life to be able to wear what I like?'
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
WhereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
wilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually her maid accompanied her when Mrs. Ogilvie went up to London; but, in her wilful way, she had decided to-day that maids were useless, and that her present maid had round eyes that stared at her from the opposite side of the carriage when they travelled together.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'It will be inconvenient,' she said, 'to go up and see my dressmaker later when the house is full.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a matter of necessity with Mrs. Ogilvie to purchase a new dress for the wedding.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wherefore, in the week following the night of the ball, she went to London for the day, while builders and carpenters were already at work repairing the ruined tower.
