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 Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
Amberson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
door-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
Evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently Isabel had gone to the door.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
Morgan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
murmur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
stairway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
unconscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
watchful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He left his door open, however, and when he heard the front door-bell ring, by and by, he went half way down the stairs and stood to listen.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
withdrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary appeared in the hall below him, but, after a glance toward the front of the house, turned back, and withdrew.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was not much afraid that Morgan would return, but he wished to make sure.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then a murmur was heard, and George Amberson’s voice, quick and serious: “I want to talk to you, Isabel”... and another murmur; then Isabel and her brother passed the foot of the broad, dark stairway, but did not look up, and remained unconscious of the watchful presence above them.
