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 There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Biggs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
bits
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From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
bouquet
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From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
carnations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
duchess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
fat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
freckles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
gawk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Hattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
Herman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
Methodist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
orchestra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
peas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
provide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
purse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
roses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Seton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
Seton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
shower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
Skinflint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
smilax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
strings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
Tolliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
Town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
trimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was cut princess fashion and trimmed with duchess lace.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
vindication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
wedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
weekly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile from the Town there came to Ellen in the weekly letters of her mother bits of news which sometimes interested her but more often did not.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried a shower bouquet of white roses and sweet peas.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was the news of May Seton’s marriage to Herman Biggs, an evening wedding in the Methodist church with a supper afterwards at which Skinflint Seton, in a gesture of triumph and vindication, had flung loose the purse strings and gone so far as to provide an orchestra which played behind a screen of smilax and carnations.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Herman,” wrote Hattie Tolliver, “looked a gawk, with his freckles, and May was too fat for her dress.
