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 Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
BLARNEY
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
chef
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From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
circumstances
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From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
composing
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
conscientiousness
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From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
consideration
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From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
cook
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
country
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From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
dinner
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
down
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From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
earnest
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From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
expensive
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From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
fatal
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From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Fleur
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
FLUFF
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
known
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From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
La
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From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
luxurious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
mansion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
materials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
moderate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
planned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
prepare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
pretensions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
princely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
princes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
repast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she been the chef of a princely mansion, she could not have given the subject more earnest nor intelligent consideration.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
Tolbridge's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
Tolbridges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the first she had known very well that it would be fatal to her pretensions to prepare for the Tolbridges an expensive and luxurious meal, but she had determined that they should never sit down to any but a good one.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLARNEY FLUFF About three o'clock that afternoon, La Fleur, Mrs. Tolbridge's cook, sat in the middle of her very pleasant kitchen, composing the dinner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But what she had was sufficient for the occasion, and this repast for a country gentleman in moderate circumstances and his wife was planned with conscientiousness as well as skill.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It is true the materials at hand were not those from which a dinner for princes would have been prepared.
