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 The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
afterward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
bracelet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
circus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
ComenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
Crosby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
earrings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
enthusiasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
farmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
fling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
Highland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
imitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
Jed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
Jed's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
leapingnounUS /ˈleaping/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
lightning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
Nettie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
OFF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
performers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
waltz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Come on, Nettie, have a waltz!" exclaimed Jed.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
WEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading OFF FOR THE WEST Never before, save, perhaps, when the lightning struck, had there been such excitement in the Crosby home.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The farmer and his wife stared in amazement at the sight of their two sons doing a good imitation of a Highland fling, for Will had caught Jed's enthusiasm, and the two boys were singing and leaping about, "as if they were circus performers," as their mother said afterward.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We'll send you back enough gold for a pair of earrings and a bracelet!"
