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 PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
dusting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
favourite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
Hyacinth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
LETTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wiggs looked puzzled.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wiggs," she said, "what's the matter with me?"
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Wiggs," she said, "what's the matter with me?"
morning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
ONEpronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
peep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
PRINCESSnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
puzzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wiggs looked puzzled.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
RECEIVES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
ride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wiggs," she said, "what's the matter with me?"
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
temper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Wiggs," she said, "what's the matter with me?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
Wiggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went straight up to her favourite seat on the castle walls and sent for Wiggs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Wiggs," she said, "what's the matter with me?"
WRITES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRINCESS RECEIVES A LETTER AND WRITES ONE The Princess Hyacinth came in from her morning's ride in a very bad temper.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She had been dusting the books in the library; and when you dust books you simply _must_ stop every now and then to take just one little peep inside, and then you look inside another one and another one, and by the time you have finished dusting, your head is so full of things you have seen that you have to be asked questions very slowly indeed.
