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 “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
calmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
embarrassed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
execute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
Helga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
hesitating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
indignation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was in the mood to push her triumph to the utmost.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
pose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was in the mood to push her triumph to the utmost.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
queenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
realizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But she was in the mood to push her triumph to the utmost.
sheepishlyadverbUS /ˈʃiːpɪʃli/
in an embarrassed or timid way
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
splendid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I shall never be calm on this subject.
threat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
triumph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was in the mood to push her triumph to the utmost.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was in the mood to push her triumph to the utmost.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is for you to say at once, monsieur, whether you decide to go.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading How long I stood there, hesitating and embarrassed, while Helga was holding the door open for me in that queenly pose of splendid indignation, I do not know, but realizing at last that I could not go and leave her to execute her threat, I turned back rather sheepishly and sat down again.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You have put the thing on such a different and so unexpected a footing that we had better wait at least until you are calmer,” I said.
