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 thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
astonishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
audience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
BILLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
cheers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
CIRCUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
clown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
crazy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
feats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
flap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
fourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
frantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
hen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
JOINS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
LooknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
manager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
monkeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
performers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
shouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
tent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last one of them, more composed than the others, made him understand that something very unusual had happened and that they did not dare go back into the ring.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the frantic manager pulled aside the tent flap just in time to be greeted by the shouts and cheers that the great audience gave to Billy Whiskers and the monkeys when they saw the astonishing feats they were performing, as though they were all trained to the business.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
WHISKERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLY WHISKERS JOINS THE CIRCUS When the show manager saw all the performers and even the clown come running out of the ring right in the midst of their fourth act, he was naturally very greatly surprised and excited.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought that they had all gone crazy and flew around like a hen with her head off trying to make them return and go on with their work.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “Look and see for yourself if you can’t believe me,” he finally said.
