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 I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
characteristic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
consistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
expert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
hang
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From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
horticultural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
justify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
originally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
passion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
personally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
shabbiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
smother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
spendingnounUS /ˈspending/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And I not only spent time, but (hang it! as I said) I spent money.
surveyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
tangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
terms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I made a point of spending as much time as possible in the garden, to justify the picture I had originally given of my horticultural passion.
Venetian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
weeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sorry to do this, for personally I liked it better as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As soon as I had got my rooms arranged and could give the proper thought to the matter I surveyed the place with a clever expert and made terms for having it put in order.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers.
