Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
accomplished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
celebrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
Cintra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
cruisenounUS /kruːz/
a journey by sea for a particular purpose
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
expiration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
fix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
fulfil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
joining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
Lisbon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
Madeira
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
needless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
postponed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
promises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
retraced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
stating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
sufficiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We now retraced our steps, though I should have much liked to stop at Lisbon to see the celebrated Cintra.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We, to fulfil the promises made to our gentlemen, were now obliged to make the best of our way to Madeira.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But alas! instead of having to welcome them, we received letters, stating that their joining our party must be again postponed, from circumstances needless to mention, and that we must either cruise about for another month or fix some spot where they could meet us at the expiration of that time.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading This we accomplished within two days of the time we had promised to meet them.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I think the three letters I have given you will sufficiently explain the feelings of our party.
