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 It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
abound
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From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
acquainted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
benevolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
callers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
chosen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
circumstance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
county
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
emulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
encourage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
entertainer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
frown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
happen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
hospitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
neighbourhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
pensioners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
rivalship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
Vernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
Vernonry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
woman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
