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 Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
attitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
breathless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was triumphant and breathless.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
climbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
Constance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
deposited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
END
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
fireplace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
Fossette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
heaviness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
listener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
older
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
parlour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
persuade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
Scales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
shocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
SOPHIA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
steep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
triumphant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was triumphant and breathless.
Up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
violence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
violently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
weighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading END OF SOPHIA I The kitchen steps were as steep, dark, and difficult as ever.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Sophia, despite her age, climbed the steps violently, and burst with equal violence into the parlour, where she deposited the basket on the floor near the empty fireplace.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She looked at Constance, who had been standing near the door in the attitude of a shocked listener.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up those steps Sophia Scales, nine years older than when she had failed to persuade Constance to leave the Square, was carrying a large basket, weighted with all the heaviness of Fossette.