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 It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never had there been so many.
bird-year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Dyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
eaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never had there been so many.
hammer-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had there been so many.
Maryland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
merriest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
nesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never had there been so many.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
numbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Oakdene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
Phoebe-birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
piazzas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
poem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ravine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
robins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never had there been so many.
stupid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had there been so many.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The robins, as usual, were everywhere.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a great bird-year at Oakdene.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The same dear old Phoebe-birds were back, building under the eaves of both the front and back piazzas.
witchery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
yellow-throats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Maryland yellow-throats were nesting in great numbers in the young growth of woods on the hill of the ravine, and ringing out their hammer-like note in the merriest manner; a note that no one understood until Dr. Van Dyke told us, in his beautiful little poem, that it is “witchery, witchery, witchery,” and now we wonder that we could have been so stupid as not to have discovered it was exactly that, long ago.
