Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had just come in from a final one now.
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
agreement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
attic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
CHRISTMAS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
contented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
cruse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
final
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had just come in from a final one now.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had just come in from a final one now.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
Lois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
Morgans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had just come in from a final one now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They had just come in from a final one now.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
Page
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
play-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
sessions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
TREE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
trips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been many secret sessions in the play-room and in the Morgans’ attic, and Jessie and Lois had taken several trips to the village store.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
widow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Jessie, having promised that they would do all the work themselves, was carrying out her agreement to the letter, and Mrs. Page, who wanted to help them, had to be contented merely to give advice.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE CHRISTMAS TREE “Oh, mother dear, you can’t come in just yet,” Lois said; “we don’t want you to see the tree until it is entirely ready.”
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Your money seems to have held out like the widow’s cruse of oil,” said Mrs. Page.
