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 She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
active
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
Amber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/
to reach or total a particular quantity or value
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
Byron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
careless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
collars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
frock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
goes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
grows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
negligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
painstaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
perturbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
Richmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
Shelley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
shortest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
standpoints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
suspiration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His hair was short, but it was plainly (in some lights) the hair of a thoughtful man.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
volcano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The amount of thinking that goes on beneath even the shortest hair has a perturbing influence upon it: one does not expect the grass which grows on the sides of an active volcano to be as ordinary grass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She noticed with surprise that them was a breath of Byron--a suspiration of Shelley about his collars, which was not so before.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He still wore a frock coat but he did it with the most painstaking negligence, and from some standpoints it did not look a bit like a frock coat.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Mr. Richmond had become more carefully careless in regard to his dress during the past few weeks than he had yet been, Amber thought.
