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 In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
acting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
animal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
aroused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WHAT THE DOG BARKED AT.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
BARKED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT THE DOG BARKED AT.
barking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
disturbance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
DOG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT THE DOG BARKED AT.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
latchkey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
persistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
Simpson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
Simpson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT THE DOG BARKED AT.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had paid no particular attention to the persistent barking, but now that she found the animal was in the rear of the Simpson lot, and acting very strangely, her curiosity was fully aroused.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT THE DOG BARKED AT.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As usual, her first act was to open the door and windows, for the weather was warm.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading About half past six the following morning, Mrs. Simpson’s maid, who had slept out, let herself into the house with her latchkey and quietly made her way to the kitchen.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In doing so, she was attracted by a disturbance in the back yard, and realized that she had heard a dog barking furiously as she came along the street and through the house.