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 A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
afore
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From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
ask
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From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
blankets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.
Californian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
Cliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
Cliff's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
COMMITTEE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
Croup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
Edna's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
fearfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
fix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
Hembold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
LADIES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
minister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
an old-fashioned sitting room
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
receipt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
Shott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
surreptitious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these ladies did not come to ask questions.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's the minister's wife, and Mrs. Hembold, and old Miss Shott," said Willy.
Willy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMITTEE OF LADIES It was about a week after the receipt of Edna's letter that Willy Croup came to Mrs. Cliff's bedroom, where that lady had been taking a surreptitious glance at her Californian blankets, to tell her that there were three ladies down in the parlor who wished to see her.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In her present state of mind, Mrs. Cliff was ready to believe that anybody who came to see her would certainly want to know something which she could not tell them, and she went down fearfully.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They are all dressed up, and I suppose they have come for something particular, so you'd better fix up a little afore you go down."
