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 It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
abroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
college
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
community
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
disapproval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
Drummond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
Dura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
envy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
expedition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
grandeur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
mixture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
neighbourhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
Norah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
refused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
youthful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.