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 A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
afternoons
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From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
Amyas
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From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
blood-red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
carnival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
changed
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From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
charm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
coasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
coasting-parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
crisp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
cured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
especial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
fairy-land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
Lois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
Morgan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
PICNIC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
powdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
Reuben
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
skate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
skating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
sleigh-riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
sunsets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
tingling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
veins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now that her fear of the Morgan boys had been cured, there was an added interest in having them of the party.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois could skate well enough to join the others, and Amyas and Reuben often took her and Jessie, with their sisters, on coasting-parties.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And into this world, as beautiful as fairy-land, Lois walked hand in hand with Jessie and Ellen; while coasting, sleigh-riding, and skating made a sort of carnival of each day.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
WINTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The white world, with the dark trees powdered with snow, and in the late afternoons the blood-red sunsets warm and glowing against the cold white, had an especial charm.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WINTER PICNIC Lois had always liked summer better than winter, but this year she changed her mind, and thought that nothing could be quite so good as these December days, when the crisp air sent the blood tingling through her veins.