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 visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
astir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
conduct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
demanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
dismiss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
docile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
gala
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
honours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
idly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
insistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
personally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
posed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
uncomfortably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
unusually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
urged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My little boy came flying to me one fair day; he cried out that he had news for me, that great things were going on in the town.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The matter did not interest me; I had so little in common with the people; and I was about to dismiss it idly, when Boy posed me by demanding that I should personally conduct him through the events of the gala day.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He was unusually insistent about this; for he was a docile little fellow, who seldom urged his will uncomfortably against my own.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A visitor was expected, whose promised arrival had set the whole place astir with joy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The child knew nothing of what or whom he spoke, but I gathered the impression that some distinguished guest was about to reach us, to whom the honours of the city would be extended.
