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 Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
admit
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From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
betaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
book-case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
chanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
companionship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
confinement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
disturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
DreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
drum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
exhausted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
flood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
Grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
hopelessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
intolerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
Midsummer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
moisture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Night's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
occupations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
overturning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
races
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
rainy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
recess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
riotous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
shouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
sullen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Charley had already exhausted the less eager activity of the other children; and they had betaken themselves to occupations that did not admit of his companionship.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Laurence sat in a recess near the book-case, reading, not for the first time, the Midsummer Night’s Dream.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not long after Grandfather had told the story of his great chair, there chanced to be a rainy day.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
uproar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Our friend Charley, after disturbing the household with beat of drum and riotous shouts, races up and down the staircase, overturning of chairs, and much other uproar, began to feel the quiet and confinement within doors intolerable.
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the rain came down in a flood, the little fellow was hopelessly a prisoner, and now stood with sullen aspect at a window, wondering whether the sun itself were not extinguished by so much moisture in the sky.
