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 Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
appealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
cheese-cake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
childlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
complicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
extra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
extravagance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl looked at the face on the picture.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
furtive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl looked at the face on the picture.
glances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
itching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
knots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
milk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
murders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
MYSTERY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The girl looked at the face on the picture.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
pathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
photographs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl looked at the face on the picture.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
pocket-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
scores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
untied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Polly knew that he was itching to talk police and murders, for he cast furtive glances at her from time to time, produced a bit of string, tied and untied it into scores of complicated knots, and finally, bringing out his pocket-book, he placed two or three photographs before her.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
wonderfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was that of a woman, not exactly pretty, but very gentle and childlike, with a strange pathetic look in the large eyes which was wonderfully appealing.
YORK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE YORK MYSTERY The man in the corner looked quite cheerful that morning; he had had two glasses of milk and had even gone to the extravagance of an extra cheese-cake.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you know who that is?" he asked, pointing to one of these.
