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 As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
amazement
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From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
anger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
attacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
comment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
elapse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
fact
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From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
Force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
inadequate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
invaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
issuednounUS /issued/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
Majesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
presumptuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
supplemented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
surprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
territory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its presumptuous tone, however, was the cause of general comment.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
Ultimatum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was not until it became known that the enemy, instead of waiting to be attacked in their own territory, had invaded that of Her Majesty the Queen, that the first feeling of amazement changed to one of anger, and, if the truth must be told, to one of no little anxiety.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The now famous Ultimatum issued by the enemy, though surprising enough at the time, was not altogether unexpected.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During the week which followed my return to London, events followed thick and fast upon each other.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our Force at the front was well known to be inadequate, and, as we had the best of reasons for being aware, a considerable time would have to elapse before it would be possible for it to be supplemented.
