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 few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
animatedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
Arden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
boarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
bulletin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
Chicago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
disguised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
effectually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
ENGAGEMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
justify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
MAKEnounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
mistaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
Orlando
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
outdoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
platform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
Rosalind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
school-girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
shanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
sixteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
skirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
south-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
station-agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
students
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
stupidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl in gray was surrounded by half a dozen students, all talking animatedly.
tam-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I MAKE AN ENGAGEMENT The south-bound train had not arrived and as I turned away the station-agent again changed its time on the bulletin board.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few students had boarded the Chicago train, but a greater number still waited on the farther platform.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now due in ten minutes.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I walked toward them I could not justify my stupidity in mistaking a grown woman for a school-girl of fifteen or sixteen; but it was the tam-o’-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest of Arden.
