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 luncheon was a terrible ordeal for Bee.
acknowledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
Bee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
Charlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
detained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
downstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
eat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
invalid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
luncheon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
ordeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The luncheon was a terrible ordeal for Bee.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
papa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
speech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She repeated with eagerness her little speech of the night before.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
subdued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The luncheon was a terrible ordeal for Bee.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Something must have detained papa,” she said, “I cannot understand it, but he is sure to come, and he will take me away.”
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She attempted to eat, with an eye on the window, to watch for the arrival of the visitors, and an ear upon the subdued sounds of the house, through which she seemed to hear the distant step, the distant voice of someone whose presence was not acknowledged.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading But the nurse went out for her walk and came in again and nothing happened, and Charlie had his invalid dinner, which in his excitement he could not eat, and Bee was called downstairs to luncheon, and yet nobody came.
