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 A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
advanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
bombshell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
Burns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
darlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
deliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
flaxen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
NonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
peeped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
plait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
sipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
solemnity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
stalked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
thrilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Emily and Mary were thrilled.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "May I come in, darlings?" a voice full of purpose said, and a flaxen head peeped in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A bombshell, in the shape of Lady Betty Burns, burst into the bedroom of Emily and Mary next morning, while the two girls were sitting up in their great bed at about eight o'clock, reading their letters and sipping their tea.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Betty, of course!" both girls answered and, in a blue silk dressing-gown and a long fair plait of hair hanging down, Lady Betty stalked in.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading None of the Council of Three, going to deliver secret sentence, could have advanced with more dignity or consciousness of the solemnity of the occasion.
