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 ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
boy
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From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
bring
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From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
busy
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From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
elder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
finish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
hut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
jewels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
PleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
Seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
sisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
strangers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
strings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
welcomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The king welcomed the girls eagerly, and asked them all manner of questions about the tree, but as they had never even heard of its existence, they could tell him nothing.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ‘Then go and bring them here, and I will wait,’ said the king, and the boy ran off and told the sisters that a great chief, with strings of jewels round his neck, had sent for them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘Seven girls live in a hut down there,’ replied the boy, pointing with his finger to where the sun was setting.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘And if we, who live close by the forest, do not know, you may be sure no one does,’ added the eldest, who was rather cross at finding this was all that the king wanted of them.
youngest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pleased and excited the six elder sisters at once followed the boy, but the youngest, who was busy, and who did not care about strangers, stayed behind, to finish the work she was doing.
