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 MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
adorned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
atmosphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
BIRTHPLACE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
bustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
charmed
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From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
checkers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
fat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
FATHER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
finally
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From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
leather-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
Mayener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
middle-aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
panic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
pewter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
plates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
quaint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
ranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
request
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
restaurant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
sparrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked not a little like a fat sparrow.
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
tankards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
tap-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The usual pewter plates and tankards adorned the dull red and brown walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A line of leather-covered seats followed the walls, in front of which were ranged long tables.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading MY FATHER’S BIRTHPLACE It was quite dark when I finally came across a sort of tap-room “restaurant” whose quaint atmosphere charmed me.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading My arrival here with a quiet request for food put a sort of panic into the breast of my small but stout host, who, when I came in, was playing checkers with another middle-aged Mayener, but who, when I asked for food, gave over his pleasure for the time being and bustled out to find his wife.
