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 They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
baths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
Breakfast
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From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We met nothing but kindness here.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
CONCLUSION
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From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
days
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From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
Dutch
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From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
filthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
fourteen
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From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
fright
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From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
given
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From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We met nothing but kindness here.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
kindness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We met nothing but kindness here.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
mirror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading We met nothing but kindness here.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
official
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
proceeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
respectable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
Rotterdam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
scrubby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
shave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A filthy, scrubby object met my gaze, and I was not sorry to get a shave that afternoon at the town before proceeding, and we stayed for the night and got baths.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
welcomer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were very kind to us at his house, and we managed to get a small wash and we attempted to make ourselves look a little more respectable before going on to Rotterdam.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was the first time I had seen a mirror for fourteen days, and when I saw what it told me I got a fright.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading CONCLUSION Breakfast was given us by the Dutch police official who had been our welcomer.