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 He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
amuse
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From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
auto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
away
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From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
bale
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From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
best
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From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
big
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From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
BILLY
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From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
Button
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From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
Consequently
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From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
friend's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
largest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
locating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
MAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
movie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
Noland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
SCHOOL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
schoolhouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
Stubby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
theater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
TROUBLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a very large town, he had no difficulty in locating the main street and then the largest church, the movie theater and the schoolhouse.
wandered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Consequently Billy was left alone to amuse himself as best he could.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then not knowing what to do with himself, he decided to go up into the town and see how it looked to him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
WHISKERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wandered around for a while and at last went down to the lake and took a swim, coming out as clean and white as a fresh bale of cotton.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS MAKES TROUBLE AT SCHOOL The next morning Mr. Noland took Stubby away out into the country with him in his auto, and Nellie carried Button over to her friend's to show her the big, fine cat she had found out on the rocks.
