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 When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
Bruce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
Bud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
Bud's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
cocktail-shaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
compounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
directing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
drinks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
energetically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
Freeman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
Harden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
hint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
intently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
Millicent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
mistaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
Obedient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
oldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
regarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
rescued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
stumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in the dim light of the veranda there was no mistaking her: she was the Millicent Harden he had rescued from the sand bar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the conclusion of the story she joined in the general laugh and turned round to find Bruce regarding her intently.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
veranda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
wavered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Bruce arrived at the club he found his hostess and Mrs. Freeman receiving the guests in the hall and directing them to a dark end of the veranda where Bud was holding forth with a cocktail-shaker.
yarns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bruce knew the story; it was the oldest of Bud’s yarns, and his interest wavered to become fixed immediately upon a girl beside him who was giving Bud her complete attention.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obedient to their hint, he stumbled over the veranda chairs until he came upon a group of young people gathered about Bud, who was energetically compounding drinks as he told a story.
