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 He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
aid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
apparatus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
borrowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
Boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spent two days on the work.
disillusioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
drawer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
elastic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
elder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
Engineering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
entitled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
Explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
MATCH-MAKER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
motor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He spent two days on the work.
packing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
photographic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spent two days on the work.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took all the elastic that he could find in his mother’s work drawer.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spent two days on the work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had received, as a birthday present, a book entitled “Engineering Explained to Boys,” and had read it in bed at midnight by the light of a lamp which he had “borrowed” from his elder brother’s photographic apparatus for the purpose.
WILLIAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILLIAM THE MATCH-MAKER William was feeling disillusioned.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He spent two days on the work.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The book had convinced William that it would be perfectly simple with the aid of a little machinery, to turn a wooden packing case into a motor boat.
