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 A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
abode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
dancers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
elaborate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
erection
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From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
lunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
murmured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
Penrod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
platform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
process
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
sand-papered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
scarlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
Schofield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
smitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
striped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
toilette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
Twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All this was for him; he was Twelve!
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
underwent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After lunch, he underwent an elaborate toilette and murmured not.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
waxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life he knew the wish to be sand-papered, waxed, and polished to the highest possible degree.
Workmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Workmen were busy everywhere under the direction of Margaret, and the smitten heart of Penrod began to beat rapidly.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dancing floor had been laid upon a platform in the yard, when Mrs. Schofield and her son arrived at their own abode; and a white and scarlet striped canopy was in process of erection overhead, to shelter the dancers from the sun.
