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 echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
AGAINnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE WORLD BECOMES BRIGHT AGAIN.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Gone away altogether!'
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Gone away altogether!'
BECOMES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD BECOMES BRIGHT AGAIN.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
BRIGHT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD BECOMES BRIGHT AGAIN.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
companionship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
delightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
echoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
embrace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
fortnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
Gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Gone away altogether!'
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
Jessie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
losing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
released
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WORLD BECOMES BRIGHT AGAIN.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I had never, until the last fortnight, had a friend so nearly of my own age as Jessie; and the companionship had been to me so sweet and delightful, and so altogether new, that to lose it now seemed like losing the best part of my life.
upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I released myself from my mother's embrace, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, to look for Jessie's box.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I echoed the words, but the news was so sudden and unexpected that for a few moments I did not quite understand their meaning.
WORLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WORLD BECOMES BRIGHT AGAIN.
