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 I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
ball
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From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
Buchanan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
clearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
economies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
lass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
LASTnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
nonsense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
papa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
scraped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
sweethearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But we are now seeing clearer, papa and I. There will be no need for what we were thinking of.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I will keep on Betty who is a good lass on the whole, if she would get sweethearts and nonsense out of her head--and my dear there will be no reason why you should not go to the ball.”
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Elsie,” said Mrs. Buchanan in the evening, when they were seated again together at their work, at the same hour in which they had discussed and settled on the previous night the necessary economies by which three hundred pounds were to be scraped together in as many years.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Elsie, you will think I am going back of my word.