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 It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
anxiously
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From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
begged
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From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
best
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From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “But now I see it differently.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
Dare
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From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
differently
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From this reading “But now I see it differently.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
footing
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From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
Gregor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
Honor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
legal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
MacLean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
MacLean's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But now I see it differently.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
puts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
relationship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “But now I see it differently.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is the best thing to do, for it puts everything on a proper and legal footing.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were like mother and daughter, and Mrs MacLean’s only hope for the future was that the relationship which might have been should be realised as nearly as possible--as though Honor and Gregor had been married before he went out.
wise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs MacLean begged so anxiously to be allowed to keep Honor with her still that Mrs Dare could not find in her heart to say no.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have thought sometimes when I saw in the papers about young people getting married like that that it was not very wise,” said the old lady.
