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 The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
accused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
admirable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
advance
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From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
almost
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From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
called
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From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
characterized
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From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
constitute
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From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
Coyle
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From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
declare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
effusion
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From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
episode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
occupants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
Paramore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
properly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
scruple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
sinister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
Spencer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
stamped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
strangest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
uncanny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This very short second visit, beginning on the Saturday evening, was to constitute the strangest episode of his life.
warned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She characterized it as "uncanny," she accused her husband of not having warned her properly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the fact that the occupants of Paramore did indeed take their trouble hard that struck Spencer Coyle after he had been an hour or two in that fine old house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As soon as he found himself in private with his wife--they had retired to dress for dinner--they called each other's attention with effusion and almost with alarm to the sinister gloom that was stamped on the place.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The house was admirable with its old grey front which came forward in wings so as to form three sides of a square, but Mrs. Coyle made no scruple to declare that if she had known in advance the sort of impression she was going to receive she would never have put her foot in it.
