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 One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
acting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
attic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
axiom
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From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
boy
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From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
cistern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
copy-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
head-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
interference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
justifies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
Mam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
Minkie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
objections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
plug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
pulling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
SCHWARTZ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
spared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
ToldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
UNDOING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
upset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of course, Mam means that _now_; my own private impression is that all sorts of objections might have occurred to her _then_; and any interference with my plan might have upset things altogether.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mam says that if I had told her what I meant to do she would have been spared all anxiety.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE UNDOING OF SCHWARTZ _Told by Minkie_ I suppose it was very wrong of me to leave home without warning.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading One of my copy-books had a head-line: "It is a dangerous yet true axiom that the end justifies the means," and I never understood that sentence until I read in a paper how a clever little boy had extinguished a fire in a bedroom by pulling a plug out of the cistern in an attic overhead.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading However, if I tell the story in my own way, you will see I had several good reasons for acting as I did.
