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 QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
agreeably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
detached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
even
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
Frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
hearty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
Kencote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
left
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
longing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
Nancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
platform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
pleased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
pranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
proceedings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
QUIET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
schoolboy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
Squire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
sting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
surprised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
TALK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
terrors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
we've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A QUIET TALK Frank and Nancy were on the platform at Kencote.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The Squire, longing for his home whenever he was away from it, like any schoolboy detached from the dear familiar, was pleased to see their smiling faces.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a word about the police court proceedings; no black looks!
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were agreeably surprised by the warmth of his greeting, having expected him to reach home in even a worse state of mind than that in which he had left it, and not having realised that a dreaded ordeal has lost most of its sting when it has been gone through, even if its terrors have been worse than fancy had painted them.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, young people," was his hearty greeting, "I hope you haven't been up to any pranks while we've been away."
