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 FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
baker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
consideration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
Cork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
emotional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
Erstein's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
Fischer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
FRIEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
Germany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
NEEDnounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
Nessa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
outburst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
passports
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
persecution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
plight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
smash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading She was very curious to learn the truth about the war; and when I had satisfied her, we settled down to the consideration of her own affairs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
widow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We returned confidence for confidence: that Nessa and I were engaged to be married; how I had come from England to find her; the plight she had been in owing to von Erstein's persecution; that we had been in the train smash, and had escaped with our lives, but had lost the passports.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND IN NEED When the woman returned to us she had quite thrown off her emotional outburst at our meeting, and her first words were a warning not to speak another word of English.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I couldn't help it at first, I was so excited; but it would ruin me if it was known that I'm British," she declared, and over the breakfast she told us her story.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was from Cork, where she had married a German baker named Fischer, had come to Germany a few years later, had been a widow for five years, and had continued to carry on the business of the inn.
