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 "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
alack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
away
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From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
bagpipes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
cow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
DonenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
hurry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
musician
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the musician walked off with the red cow, and Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the musician walked off with the red cow, and Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
repent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
screech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
simpleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
squeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
terrific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the musician walked off with the red cow, and Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
Vinegar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Done!" cried Mr. Vinegar in a hurry, lest the man should repent of his offer.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the musician walked off with the red cow, and Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," replied the musician, seeing he was a simpleton, "it is a beautiful instrument, and I make so much money by it, that I cannot take anything less than that red cow."
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But, alas and alack! though he blew till he almost burst, not a sound could he make at first, and when he did at last, it was such a terrific squeal and screech that all the children ran away frightened, and the people stopped their ears.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So the musician walked off with the red cow, and Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading So he went up to the musician and said, "What will you take for your bagpipes?"
