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 I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
almost
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From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
bachelor
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From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
become
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From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
bed
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From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
Buckingham
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From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
collar
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From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
cuffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
EXPLOSIONnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
feeble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
glided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s happened, nurse?”
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s happened, nurse?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
pillow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
piping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
pleasant-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
raise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
recognising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
recollection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
there
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From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
unfamiliarity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AFTER THE EXPLOSION My next recollection was that of opening my eyes to find myself lying at night in my room at Buckingham Street.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What’s happened, nurse?”
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I made an effort to sit up in bed, but my head had suddenly become curiously heavy--so heavy that the effort to raise it was almost too much for me, and I was glad to fall back upon the pillow, where I lay a moment feeling more faint and feeble than I had ever felt before.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I said, recognising at once what she was--which was more than could be said of my voice, for it had become so thin and piping that its unfamiliarity startled me.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then there glided gently into the room--into my bachelor room--a pleasant-looking young woman in a gray dress with white collar and cuffs.
