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 THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
address
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
Bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
California
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
CHILDREN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
Crosby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
directory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
elegant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
entrances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
EYE-WITNESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
HOUR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
LETTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
REPORTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
selected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
spendingnounUS /ˈspending/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHILDREN'S HOUR: REPORTED IN A LETTER BY AN EYE-WITNESS.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The directory gave me her address, and I soon found myself on the corner of two beautiful streets and before a very large and elegant house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
wealthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This did not surprise me, as I knew her husband to be a very wealthy man.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There seemed to be various entrances, for the house stood with its side to the main street; but when I had at last selected a bell to ring, I became convinced that I had not, after all, gone to the front door.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the last Monday in March, and I had come in from my country home to see if I could find my old school friend, Margaret Crosby, who is now Mrs. Donald Bird, and who is spending a few years in California.
