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 looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
apologizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
cheeriest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
dine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
dreadfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
Easterton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
Easterton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
Gastrell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
greet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
Hugesson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
mortals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
offence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
Osborne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
settees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He looked strangely serious, and so did Jack, as a rule the cheeriest of mortals.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I am dreadfully sorry for being so late," I exclaimed, thinking that my unpunctuality must have given them offence.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
unpunctuality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise they remained silent; even Easterton did not rise, or greet me in any way.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went towards them across the big room, apologizing for my unpunctuality, for I was nearly ten minutes late.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hugesson Gastrell had accepted Lord Easterton's invitation to dine at the club, and the three men were seated near the fire as I entered, Easterton and Jack Osborne on one of the large settees, their visitor facing them in an arm-chair, with his back to me.
