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 ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
BecauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
chanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
colorless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
department
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
detained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
dissolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
dividednounUS /ˈdivided/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
Eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
fellow-clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our mother was gone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
Herald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
Kane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
labors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
ten-thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Because the store kept open until ten-thirty or eleven that Christmas Eve, and my labors at the _Herald_ office detained me until the same hour, we three arrived at the house at nearly the same time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several sisters, two brothers and my father were still together, but it was a divided and somewhat colorless home at best.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ON Christmas Eve there came to our home to spend the next two days, which chanced to be Saturday and Sunday, Alice Kane, a friend and fellow-clerk of one of my sisters in a department store.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should say here that the previous year, my mother having died and the home being in dissolution, I had ventured into the world on my own.
