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 On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
acquiescence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
all
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From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
always
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From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
arrival
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From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
built
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From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
cheers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
clays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
mail-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
Marvel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
noddednounUS /nodded/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
population
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
shouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
stomach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Dan nodded in acquiescence; he had no time to reply; for at that moment a great shouting was heard, and the mail-cart was seen driving round the corner towards them.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On a pleasant summer evening Dan and Ellen and George Marvel were sitting in the shade of the veranda which surrounded three sides of their house.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The arrival of the mail-cart in the village was an event of the utmost importance, and was always greeted with cheers by the excited population.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was built of wood, and was all on one floor, and there was a garden in the front and in the rear.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading George Marvel was smoking his pipe as usual, and having by this time got used to the short clays, which were the only ones he could now obtain, had just declared that he enjoyed a short pipe as well as a long one; "though I couldn't stomach them at first, Dan, as you know."
