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 A STRANGE COMPANION.
accept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
BINNEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
Binney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
carpet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
challenge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
awkward in movement or handling things
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
COMPANION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE COMPANION.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
frolic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
invite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
jump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
lemur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
Mackey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
master's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
motions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
prance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
quarrelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
shuffle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
skipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
slap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
STRANGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRANGE COMPANION.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
tail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BINNEY and Mackey, the lemur, soon became great friends, and every day after dinner they had a good frolic in the drawing-room.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mackey was very ready to accept the challenge, and in an instant would jump on Binney's back, or on his broad, flat tail, and off again to the tables and chairs, skipping and dancing, and making a hundred motions to Binney's one.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Binney would shuffle and prance in his clumsy way, run after Mackey with his mouth open, and slap his tail on the carpet till he made all ring again; but they never quarrelled in their play.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Binney would come up to Mackey as he sat on his master's foot before the fire, and by all sorts of odd motions invite him to play.
