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 Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
acquaintance
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From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
any
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From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
become
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From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
BLACK
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From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
Bobby
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From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
BOUGHT
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From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
Bright
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From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
BUTconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
cultivate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
degraded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
desire
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From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
fit
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From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
folks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
friends
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From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
HOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
inform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
LITTLEnounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
nice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
noses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
PAID
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
Probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
readers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE LITTLE BLACK HOUSE IS BOUGHT BUT NOT PAID FOR.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Perhaps by this time they have become so far interested in him as to desire to know who his parents were, what they did, and in what kind of a house he lived.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A great many very nice city folks would not have considered it fit to live in, would have turned up their noses at it, and wondered that any human beings could be so degraded as to live in such a miserable house.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hope none of my young friends will think any less of him when I inform them that Bobby lived in an old black house which had never been painted, which had no flower garden in front of it, and which, in a word, was quite far from being a palace.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Probably my young readers have by this time come to the conclusion that Bobby Bright was a very clever fellow--one whose acquaintance they would be happy to cultivate.