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 THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
Clarenceux
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From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
hesitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
Hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
lock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
Portugal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
preferable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
raining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
STRUGGLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
switch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
timid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
touching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
twisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
