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 LETTER.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
compliment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
DEAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
FISCHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
furlough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
LETTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LETTER.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
whack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can almost imagine you leaning over to whack at me in return for that compliment.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm sure I shall go to sleep in the middle of it, and naturally, too, for even writing to you is enough to bore anybody.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I am home on furlough; and I don't know whether I wish I were back or not, for I fear that you will have cut me out on all the girls, especially since you are a high and mighty first captain this year.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "MY DEAR FISCHER: I promised to drop you a line just to let you know how I'm getting along, though it does take a tremendous pile of energy to write a letter on a hot afternoon like this.
