Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
16th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
ankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
benefit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
bombshell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
Dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
dislocated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
exception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
expects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
explode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
exploded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
eyebrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
firecrackers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
forefathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
FourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
great-grandchildren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
Hancocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
HENRY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I like the idea of the Fourth with the exception of the noise.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
infant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
infernaladjectiveUS /ɪnˈfɜːrnəl/
extremely troublesome or annoying
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
January
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
JOHN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
July
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I like the idea of the Fourth with the exception of the noise.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
neighbor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I like the idea of the Fourth with the exception of the noise.
noisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
Ohio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
PATRIOTISM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
racket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
signing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
Uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN HENRY ON PATRIOTISM Uncle Peter spent the Fourth of July at his old home in Ohio.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dear John: We had a nice quiet time on the Fourth with the exception of my ankle, which was somewhat dislocated because my foot stepped on an infant bombshell which same exploded for my benefit.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I must show you a letter he wrote me a few days after that noisy event.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I believe that if our forefathers had suspected that their great-grandchildren would make such an infernal racket on the Fourth of July they would have waited for a snow storm on the 16th of January before signing their John Hancocks, because then it would be too cold to explode firecrackers under your neighbor's eyebrows when he least expects it.
