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 We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
buttons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
ceilings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
deserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
Edinburgh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
frivolities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Holyrood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Knox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Knox's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
Mary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
meddling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
monument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
people's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
Scots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When we went to Holyrood Palace it struck me that Mary Queen of Scots deserved a better house.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
travellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
vanities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Of course, it wasn't built for her, but I don't care very much for the other people who lived in it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading We have been reading hard since we have been in Edinburgh, and whenever Mr. Knox and Mary Queen of Scots come together, I take Mary's side without asking questions.
woodwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went to see John Knox's house, and although Mr. Knox was pretty hard on vanities and frivolities, he didn't mind having a good house over his head, with woodwork on the walls and ceilings that wasn't any more necessary than the back buttons on his coat.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I have no doubt Mr. Knox was a good man, but if meddling in other people's business gave a person the right to have a monument, the top of his would be the first thing travellers would see when they come near Edinburgh.
