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 Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
bright
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From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
bud
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From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
cheered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
Clare
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From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
Clare's
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From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
closed
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From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
containeth
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From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
Discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
dittynounUS /ˈdɪti/
a short, simple song
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
Elfie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
Elfie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
fitful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
good-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
infinite
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From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
moods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
Possibilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
postman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
seriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
snatchesplural nounUS /snætʃɪz/
short, incomplete pieces of speech or writing
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
swinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
trilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
unfailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Clare, fitful and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's unfailing good-humour.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clare's Discovery 'A closed bud containeth Possibilities infinite and unknown.'
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elfie was the sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song, as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Life went on very quietly with the three who were left.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.
