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 am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
accursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
affair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
comfortably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
cottage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
countrified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
eighty-pound-a-year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
hop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
income
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
Norbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
seasons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I tell you that there never was a shadow between us until this accursed affair began.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
villa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our little place was very countrified, considering that it is so close to town.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I am a hop merchant myself, and as I have an income of seven or eight hundred, we found ourselves comfortably off, and took a nice eighty-pound-a-year villa at Norbury.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My business took me into town at certain seasons, but in summer I had less to do, and then in our country home my wife and I were just as happy as could be wished.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading We had an inn and two houses a little above us, and a single cottage at the other side of the field which faces us, and except those there were no houses until you got half way to the station.
