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 I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
all
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From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
approval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
bees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
bordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
braid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
breeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
buttoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
buzzing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
collar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
cuffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
elbow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
finishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
handiwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
loops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
mess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
meticulously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
mirror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
narrow-cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
ringed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
shirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
stitched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
stripe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
tailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had to admit they had done all right.
touches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two tailors had been buzzing around me like bees for half an hour, putting the finishing touches on their handiwork.
whip-cord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I stood before a long mirror and eyed myself, not without approval.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I now wore narrow-cut riding breeches of fine grey whip-cord, short black boots of meticulously stitched and polished black leather, a white linen shirt without collar or cuffs beneath a mess jacket of royal blue, buttoned to the chin.
wrist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gold bordered blue stripe ran down the side of the trousers and heavy loops of gold braid ringed the sleeves from wrist to elbow.
