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 A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
banks
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From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
barred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
beguiled
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From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
bushes
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From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
came
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From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
carry
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From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
cast
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From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
charm
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From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
climbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
evening
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From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
Harmon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
inmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
magenta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
overgrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
petunias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
procrastinated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
rosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
self-sown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
shrubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
tendrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
thereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
Trenholme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
trodden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A trodden path there was in and out the bushes, although not the straight original one, and by following it Alec gained the open space before the house.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
vine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here self-sown magenta petunias made banks of colour against the old brick walls, and the evening light, just turning rosy, fell thereon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Alec Trenholme had had the key of the Harmon house in his possession some days, he went one evening, beguiled by the charm of the weather and by curiosity, for the first time into the Harmon garden.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path up to the house was lightly barred by the wild vine, that, climbing on overgrown shrubs on either side, had more than once cast its tendrils across.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished to look over the rooms that were of some interest to him because of one of their late inmates, and having procrastinated, he thought to carry out his intention now, in the last hour before darkness came on, in order to return the key that night.
