Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
ball-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
fireflies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
flared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
hansoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
intact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
Jeannie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
Just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
lightness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
loudly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
mellowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
motors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
nicer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
rhythm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, I could get into a ball-dress and go and dance now for lightness of heart," said Jeannie.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
sonorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
throng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An hour had passed since they began to talk, but it was still short of midnight, and the hansoms and motors still swept about the square like a throng of sonorous fireflies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There was silence for a little while.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Just opposite a big house flared with lit windows, and the sound of the band came loudly across the open space, a little mellowed by the distance, but with the rhythm of its music intact.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But I won't; I will do something much nicer, and that is I will hear from you the news of your year.
