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 Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
Atherton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
bathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
Billy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
brain-waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
bush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
cheerily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
Dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
Dicky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
excursion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
finishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
Fortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
house-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
lucky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
lunatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
malevolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
nook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
poured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t be a lunatic, Billy,” he remarked.
schoolroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
strenuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
Towers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dancing was often kept up at The Towers until long after midnight; but on this occasion the strenuous day in the bush had had its effect, so that a move was made towards bed soon after half-past ten.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
wafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately, Dicky Atherton poured cold water upon the idea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IT was lucky for us that all the house-party were tired that night.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One strong soul cheerily suggested finishing up with a bathing excursion to the beach—and never knew what malevolent brain-waves I wafted towards him from my nook near the schoolroom door.
