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 I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
betrothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By and by my mother carried me off to be dressed.
cake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
cakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
chid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by my mother carried me off to be dressed.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
France
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
fright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
hated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
hideous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
Nan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by my mother carried me off to be dressed.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
orange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
still-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was going to be married to a hideous old man, and be carried to France, and should never see any of them again.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I had cried half the night, and when in the morning little Nan wanted to hear about my ball, I only answered that I hated the thought of it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I made Nan cry too, and we both came down to breakfast with such mournful faces that my mother chid me sharply for making myself such a fright.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then she took me away to the still-room, and set me for an hour to make orange cakes, while she gave orders for the great dinner that we were to give that day, I knew only too well for whose sake; and if I had only known which orange cake was for my betrothed, would not it have been a bitter one!
