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 Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
admiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
agone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
amidships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
Bombay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
Canal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
canvas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
chain-stitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
Court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
dignities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
Egyptian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
endless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
enjoyment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
High
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
Linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
mirage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
Morgan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
oasis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
outlining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
port-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
sands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
Soiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
solitary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
stockings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
Suez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was outlining ‘Soiled Linen’ in chain-stitch on a green canvas bag; I was admiring the Egyptian sands.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘How charming,’ said I, ‘is this solitary desert in the endless oasis we are compelled to cross!’
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morgan, wife of a judge of the High Court of Bombay, and I sat amidships on the cool side in the Suez Canal.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been at school with Mrs. Morgan more than twenty years agone, but she had come to the special enjoyment of the dignities of life while I still liked doing things.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Oasis in the desert, you mean,’ said Mrs. Morgan; ‘I haven’t noticed any, but I happened to look up this morning as I was putting on my stockings, and I saw through my port-hole the most lovely mirage.’
