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 When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
accounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
alien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
amazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
babe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
baby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
Bolivard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
busied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
cheery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
Chelsea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
cleaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her days of Hagardom were over.
deal
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From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
desecration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
Emmy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
enable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
freshened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
fripperies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
frivolities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
garnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
Hagardom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her days of Hagardom were over.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
happier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
homelike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
luggage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
Mansions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
multitudinous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
occupy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Her days of Hagardom were over.
phenomenon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
porter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
prodigious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
refurbished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
Septimus's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
surprisingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
universe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the pretty fripperies and frivolities had been freshened and refurbished since their desecration at alien hands, and the place looked cheery and homelike; but Emmy found it surprisingly small, and was amazed to discover the prodigious space taken up by the baby.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her days of Hagardom were over.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little flat in Chelsea, cleaned, swept and garnished by the wife of the porter of the Mansions, received Emmy, her babe, Madame Bolivard and multitudinous luggage.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When she drew Septimus's attention to this phenomenon he accounted for it by saying that it was because he had such a very big name, which was an excellent thing in that it would enable him to occupy a great deal of room in the universe when he grew up.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She busied herself all the morning about the flat, happier than she had been for a whole year.
