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 With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
armchair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
bachelor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
builds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
desolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
detail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
elbowroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
essential
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
healthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
impermanence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
lodging-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
sofa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
Towers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
truer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
visiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
vividly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And The Towers is vividly described for me by the single fact that I could not "nest" there.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
wardrobe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I took several days to discover this, but the first impression of impermanence was truer than I knew.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether visiting, in lodging-house, or in hotel, the first essential is this nest--one's own things built into the walls as a bird builds in its feathers.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the instinct of the healthy bachelor I always try to make myself a nest in the place I live in, be it for long or short.
wriggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may look desolate and uncomfortable enough to others, because the central detail is neither bed nor wardrobe, sofa nor armchair, but a good solid writing-table that does not wriggle, and that has wide elbowroom.
