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 I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
cheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
desired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
forestall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
laughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
leisure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
lent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
merriment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
Packard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
pursue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
spirit-world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Packard came in very soon after this.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was accompanied by two friends and I could hear them talking and laughing in her room upstairs all the afternoon.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It gave me leisure, but leisure was not what I stood in need of, just now.
whisper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wished to forestall thought; to keep down dread; to fill the house so full of cheer that no whisper should reach her from that spirit-world she had come to fear.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I desired much more an opportunity to pursue my inquiries, for I knew why she had brought these friends home with her and lent herself to a merriment that was not natural to her.
