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 WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
aviators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
civilians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
enough
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From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
Esdaile
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From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
explain
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From this reading Well, I will explain that.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
HAPPENED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
householder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
journalist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
NextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
occurrence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
OUTSIDEnounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
premises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
reporters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
responsibleadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑnsəbəl/
having a duty to protect or manage something
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
Rooke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next, however interesting things outside might have been, I had found them quite interesting enough inside.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well, I will explain that.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But my real reason was this:-- Rooke had said that both these aviators were civilians.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In the first place, we have our own reporters, who do that kind of thing far better than I can.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Well, I will explain that.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading WHAT HAPPENED OUTSIDE I It may have already struck you that while Esdaile, a responsible householder directly interested in any unusual occurrence on his premises, had not once been into his garden to see what the trouble was, I myself, a journalist with quite a good "news story" in the wind, had shown little more eagerness.
