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 Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Alfred smiled with the air of one a little proud of his record.
Alfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
Anselman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
butler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
closer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
departed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
evidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
feature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
footmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
hairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
host's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
households
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
Jones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
parlourmaids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
patriotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Alfred smiled with the air of one a little proud of his record.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
record
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Alfred smiled with the air of one a little proud of his record.
reflectively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
sipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
smartest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
smiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Alfred smiled with the air of one a little proud of his record.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
sufferance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
TellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Gordon Jones, who had moved his chair a little closer to his host’s side, looked reflectively around the dining-room as he sipped his port.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The butler remained on sufferance because of his grey hairs, but the footmen, who had been rather a feature of the Anselman establishment, had departed, and their places had been filled by half a dozen of the smartest of parlourmaids, one or two of whom were still in evidence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sir Alfred smiled with the air of one a little proud of his record.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Tell me again, how many servants have you sent to the war?”
YourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading “Yours is certainly one of the most patriotic households, Sir Alfred, which I have entered,” he declared.
