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 Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
August
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
blue-green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
brilliantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
butterflies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
Chalk-Blues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
cliffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
College
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
connected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
direct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
hedge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
Lettice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
partner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
privet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
ruffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
tennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom was already at College, doing brilliantly, and rapidly growing up.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
victorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The occasion was a tennis party in the garden by the sea where the family had come to spend the summer holidays.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The August afternoon was very hot; no wind ruffled the quiet blue-green water; there were no waves; the leaves of the privet hedge upon the side of the cliffs were motionless.
wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A couple of Chalk-Blues danced round and round each other as though a wire connected them, and Tom, walking in to tea with his partner after a victorious game, found himself watching the butterflies and making a remark about them--a chance observation merely to fill an empty pause.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then, without any warning, he received a second shock--it fell upon him from the blue and came direct from Lettice.
