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 George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
always
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From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
boat
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From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
BOYS
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From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
carried
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From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
close-shaven
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From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
clutch
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From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
colour
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From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
combination
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From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
commonplace
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From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
corner
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From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
despair
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From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
dressiest
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From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
Ellen
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From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
George
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From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
green
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From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
half-past-five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
housewife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/
demanded something firmly
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
McFadden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
money
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From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
necessaries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
PICNIC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
pink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
resplendent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
Rosie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
sandwiches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
shirt
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From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
shoe-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
skinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
socks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a striking combination of colour and one that made Ellen clutch at her mother in despair.
Sullivan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
tan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
thrifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
tie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
TRACTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TRACTION BOYS' PICNIC They started off in time to make the half-past-five boat.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading George was at his dressiest, so close-shaven that he looked almost skinned and resplendent in new tan shoes, green socks, a red tie, and a pink shirt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading George carried a shoe-box of sandwiches, for Rosie, always a thrifty little housewife, insisted that whatever money they had to spend was not going for the commonplace necessaries of life.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Janet McFadden and Tom Sullivan, with a similar shoe-box, were waiting for them at the corner.
