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 AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
allowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
any
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From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
BACHELOR
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From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
blessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
blessings
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From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Friends and books and flowers!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
choice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
comforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
competency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
desolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
exacting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Friends and books and flowers!
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
heavenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
HOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
ITSdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
knell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
luxuries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
occupations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
satisfy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, a small but sufficient competency was mine, allowing me reasonable comforts, and the luxuries of a small but choice library, and a small but choice garden.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
thirtieth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
tranquil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was true I had many and good friends, and I was blessed with interests and occupations which I had often declared sufficient to satisfy any not too exacting human being.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD HOUSE AND ITS BACHELOR When the knell of my thirtieth birthday sounded, I suddenly realised, with a desolate feeling at the heart, that I was alone in the world.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These heavenly blessings had seemed mere than enough for nearly five years, during which the good sister and I had kept house together, leading a life of tranquil happy days.
