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 had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
chain-gang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
Charles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
cheap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
crimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
dipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
Father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
gloves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
ink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
list
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
reappeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
recording
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
Rowland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
sorts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
sticking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
teasingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
threadbare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
using
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charles sat down on the veranda and Mary turned away.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary reappeared very soon, now wearing her becoming hat and a great pair of cotton gloves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Father," she said, teasingly, as she stood beside him, a hand on his threadbare coat at the shoulder, "I saw a list of men in the paper the other day that were being sent to the chain-gang for all sorts of crimes.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had a small bottle of ink on the floor at his side, into which he dipped an old pen which was so sharp at the point that it kept sticking into the cheap paper he was using.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rowland was bent over his writing and did not look up, so deeply was he absorbed in what he was recording.
