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 Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
Adela
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From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
allowed
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From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
always
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From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
approach
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From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
ascended
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From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
discovering
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From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
door
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From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
fit
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From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
followed
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From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
lodgings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
merely
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From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
Mrs
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From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
Mutimer
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From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
perusal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
professed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
settlement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
sullenness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
surprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
unlikely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In Mutimer a fit of sullenness had followed upon his settlement in lodgings.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was away from home a good deal, but his hours of return were always uncertain, and Adela could not help thinking that he presented himself at unlikely times, merely for the sake of surprising her and discovering her occupation.
Westlake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adela allowed a week to pass before speaking of her desire to visit Mrs. Westlake.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Once or twice she had no knowledge of his approach until he opened the door of the room; when she remarked on his having ascended the stairs so quietly, he professed not to understand her.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of those occasions she was engaged on a letter to her mother; he inquired to whom she was writing, and for reply she merely held out the sheet for his perusal.
