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 He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
arm-chair
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From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
branches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
Clara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
counted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
cousin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
decayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
flower-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
footstep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
fruit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
gardener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
gladsome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
Grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
gravel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
hut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
lopped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
pursuing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
shrubbery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
sports
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
trundled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
waterednounUS /ˈwatered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
weeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard Clara’s gladsome voice, too, as she weeded and watered the flower-bed which had been given her for her own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
wheelbarrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have counted every footstep that Charley took, as he trundled his wheelbarrow along the gravel walk.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Grandfather had been sitting in his old arm-chair, all that pleasant afternoon, while the children were pursuing their various sports, far off or near at hand.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He heard the voice of Laurence, who had taken possession of a heap of decayed branches which the gardener had lopped from the fruit trees, and was building a little hut for his cousin Clara and himself.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes you would have said, "Grandfather is asleep;" but still, even when his eyes were closed, his thoughts were with the young people, playing among the flowers and shrubbery of the garden.
