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 Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
AFTERNOONnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
alarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "What am I going to do?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
awful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
brains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
client
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
commit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
dealt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
drunken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
foolish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What am I going to do?
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
intoxicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
lunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
Marthe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
newcomer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
phenomena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
rarest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
raw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
satisfactorily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
shocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
solecism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
staggered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
SUNDAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But only on the very rarest occasions had she known a client commit the awful solecism of calling before lunch; and that a newcomer, even intoxicated, should commit this solecism staggered her and left her trembling.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUNDAY AFTERNOON "What is Madame going to do?" whispered Marthe, still alarmed and shocked, when they had both stepped back out of the bedroom; and she added: "He has never been here before."
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marthe was a woman of immense experience but little brains, and when phenomena passed beyond her experience she became rather like a foolish, raw girl.
younger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had often dealt with drunken men; she had often--especially in her younger days--satisfactorily explained a situation to visitors who happened to call when her mistress for the time being was out.
