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 He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
ancestral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
fidgeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
funny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
grandmother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
inquiry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
mild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
mouthpiece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
reflecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
Tramore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
unconscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
violence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When he repeated “You give yourself away?” as if he didn’t understand, she remembered that he had not read the funny American books.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was startled by the words, for she on her side had been reflecting—reflecting that he had broken with her grandmother and that this pointed to a reason.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It suggested at least that he wouldn’t now be so much like a mouthpiece for that cold ancestral tone.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He fidgeted a little, as if he were thinking of something that made him unconscious of her question; then, with mild violence, he brought out the inquiry: “Miss Tramore, are you happy?”
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading She turned off his question—said it never was a fair one, as you gave yourself away however you answered it.
