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 His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
almost
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
apparent
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From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
atmosphere
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From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
came
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
company
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From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
completed
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
curious
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From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
down
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
family
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
Guard
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From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
Hallowe'en
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From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
Halpert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
local
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
McCormack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
National
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
porch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
request
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
surrounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Hal McCormack came down to breakfast on the morning following Hallowe’en, he found that the other members of the family had almost completed their morning meal.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
wondering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The request was such an unusual one that Hal stood for a moment wondering and motionless.
worried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was apparent, from the atmosphere surrounding the table, that something had gone wrong.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother looked worried, his young sisters looked curious, and his father, who was captain of the local company of the National Guard, had a stern and military air.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Halpert,” said Captain McCormack, “before you take your seat at the table you will please go to the front porch and see what is there.”
