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 You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
afford
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From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
all
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
any
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
assure
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
bed
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From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
better
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
can't
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From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
Christmas
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
dear
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
dearly
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From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
don't
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From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
dozen
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
else
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From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
five
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
forty-eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
four
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
get
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
girl
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
gloves
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
got
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From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
hate
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
invariably
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From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
knew
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From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
nicely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
now
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From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
pairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
Peg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
PoornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
presents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
rage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
separate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And I do assure you, my dear girl, that the Christmas before last I got four dozen handkerchiefs, and five separate pairs of gloves.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I knew it did, though I tried so hard to smile and look pleased.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
useful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
wept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I simply hate useful presents, and when we get any sent to us they invariably are of that order, for people say to themselves, `Poor things, they are not at all well off, better send them something that will be _of use_.'
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gloves I don't mind, for they are _nicely_ useful; but I nearly spread out all the forty-eight handkerchiefs on the bed, and wept over them with sheer rage that they weren't something else...
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You see, Peg, I have nothing but useful things at home, for we can't afford anything else, and I do so dearly love a taste of luxury now and then.
