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 In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Known As “Boy.”
asking
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From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Author
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From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Known As “Boy.”
Brandon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
Children's
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From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
copies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Cyril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
dear
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From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Furniss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
Gardens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
Harry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
hundreds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Illustrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
King's
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From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
Known
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From this reading Known As “Boy.”
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Lockhart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
Page
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
pen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
Preface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
thousands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
Wallypug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.
