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 The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
accepted
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From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
all
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From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
annoyed
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From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
any
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From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
bedrooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
breakfast
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From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
chains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
considering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
declines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
ghost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
going
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From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
injury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
Lubricator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
Minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
Otis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
personal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
pillows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
polite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
Rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
shouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
States
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
Sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
twins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
United
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The United States Minister was naturally a little annoyed to find that his present had not been accepted.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘Upon the other hand,’ he continued, ‘if he really declines to use the Rising Sun Lubricator, we shall have to take his chains from him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE next morning when the Otis family met at breakfast, they discussed the ghost at some length.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I have no wish,’ he said, ‘to do the ghost any personal injury, and I must say that, considering the length of time he has been in the house, I don’t think it is at all polite to throw pillows at him’—a very just remark, at which, I am sorry to say, the twins burst into shouts of laughter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be quite impossible to sleep, with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.’
