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 Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
boat-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
Crich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
Criches
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From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
customary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
dependents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
district
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
festivity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
gather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
Grammar-School
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
marquee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
officials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
picnic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
pleasure-launch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
pleasures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
poorer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
rowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
walnut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
Water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
water-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
Willey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake.
younger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him.
