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 Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Adair
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From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
baize
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From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
ballad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
blues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
exception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Farmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
jumping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let’s have a dance instead.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
livelier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Nell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
nerves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
over-strung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
Owen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
plaintive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
proficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
respectful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
Robin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘“Robin Adair” is enough to give one the blues!
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell’s over-strung nerves.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,’ she cried, jumping up from her seat.
Usk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
violin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad.
