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 The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
bitterness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
Devon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
disappointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
dug
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From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
eventful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
gave
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From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
gossip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
heartburning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
mansion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
Montague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
mourning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
Society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their gossip was all of the disappointed ones, and their bitterness and heartburning.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
uphold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The great event was due in the next week and Society was as much excited about it as a family of children before Christmas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Montague came back to the city, and dug into his books again; while Alice gave her spare hours to watching the progress of the new gown in which she was to uphold the honour of the family at Mrs. Devon’s opening ball.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All whom Montague met were invited and all were going unless they happened to be in mourning.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mrs. Devon’s mansion was thrown open early on the eventful evening, but few would come until midnight.
