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 She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
absurdity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
achieved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
Baedeker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
customary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
delightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
happiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
hello
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
mask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
nickname
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
preoccupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
quaintness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
rewarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
schoolfellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by alcohol
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
uncle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My uncle’s laugh when it did come, I must admit was, as Baedeker says, “rewarding.”
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It made her very delightful to me in that quiet place.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her customary walk even had a sort of hello! in it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.
wit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had evidently been the wit and joy of a large circle of schoolfellows, and this style had become a second nature with her.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her chief preoccupation in life was, I believe, to make my uncle laugh, and when by some new nickname, some new quaintness or absurdity, she achieved that end, she was, behind a mask of sober amazement, the happiest woman on earth.