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 He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
buildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Chick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
cursory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
extensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
gardener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
Hamilton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Hospital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
mower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Osgood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
park
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
