Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
afar
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From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
also
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From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
altogether
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From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
always
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From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
assuming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
Barrys
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From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
blandly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
Crosby
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From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
Dominick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
GOETHE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
greatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
hedge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
pausing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
racket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
sentiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɑləmli/
seriously and formally
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
TellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
tennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
Truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
unbearable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Mr. Crosby had told the Barrys that he would come down next day for a game of tennis, they had not altogether believed in his coming, so that when they see him from afar off, through the many holes in the hedge, walking towards them down the village street, surprise is their greatest sentiment.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading ‘Truly they would be unbearable if I had not also been unbearable myself as well.’—GOETHE.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Susan,’ says Dominick solemnly, pausing racket in hand, ‘it must be you.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Tell me how to bear so blandly the assuming ways of wild young people!
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I always told you your face was your fortune, and a very small one at that.