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 There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
accomplished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
ACT
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From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
angry
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From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
aped
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From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
buying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
compare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
contending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
curtain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
Drury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
filling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
fro
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From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
gala
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
greetings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
Lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
LASTnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
musicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
noted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
playhouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
Stagg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were laughter, talk, greetings from one part of the house to another, as much movement to and fro as could be accomplished in so crowded a space.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To compare small things with great, it might have been Drury Lane upon a gala night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
unsuccessfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The manners of the London playhouses were aped not unsuccessfully.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The musicians began to play and more candles were lighted.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading THE LAST ACT Before eight of the clock, Mr. Stagg, peering from behind the curtain, noted with satisfaction that the house was filling rapidly; upon the stroke of the hour it was crowded to the door, without which might be heard angry voices contending that there must be yet places for the buying.
