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 A TALK ON THE LAWN.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
altered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
communicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
companionship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
consolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
crackings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
entire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
knocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
LAWN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
loneliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
rats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
Rebecca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
scampering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
security
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
TALK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That same evening Rebecca came down from London.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TALK ON THE LAWN.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
timber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
trusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
unendurable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
unspeakable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
warped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an unspeakable consolation, for at night the old house was so full of the sudden crackings of warped timber and the scampering of rats that entire loneliness was unendurable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her room, too, had been altered for the better, and the maid was given the one next door, so that by knocking on the wall she could always communicate with her.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Her presence was a comfort to Kate, for though she had never liked or trusted the girl, yet the mere fact of having some one of her own age near her, gave her a sense of security and of companionship.
