Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: 40 words to know before you read it
The 40 words Louisa May Alcott uses again and again in Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy that are outside the 4,000 most common in English. Learn them first and the opening chapters read much more easily. Each comes with its pronunciation and a sentence from the book.
till/ˈtɪɫ/193× in the book
… is never satisfied, and worries you till you're ready to fly out of the window or cry?"
spite/ˈspaɪt/79× in the book
"You said the other day, you thought we were a deal happier than the King children, for they were fighting and fretting all the time, in spite of their money."
tender/ˈtɛndɝ/73× in the book
"Your hands are bigger than mine, and you will stretch my glove dreadfully," began Meg, whose gloves were a tender point with her.
charm/ˈtʃɑɹm/62× in the book
… and made much of him, and he found something very charming in the innocent companionship of these simple-hearted girls.
splendid/ˈspɫɛndɪd/58× in the book
"I don't see how you can write and act such splendid things, Jo.
sober/ˈsoʊbɝ/48× in the book
Every one thought soberly for a minute; then Meg announced …
delight/dɪˈɫaɪt/46× in the book
Beth ate no more, but crept away, to sit in her shadowy corner and brood over the delight to come, till the others were ready.
amuse/əmˈjuz/44× in the book
She could not roam about and amuse herself, for the burnt breadth would show, so she stared at people rather forlornly till the dancing began.
dreadful/ˈdɹɛdfəɫ/44× in the book
"It's so dreadful to be poor!"
fancy/ˈfænsi/43× in the book
asked Jo, delighted with the fancy which lent a little romance to the very dull task of doing her duty.
sofa/ˈsoʊfə/41× in the book
… and have everything ready," said Meg, looking over the presents which were collected in a basket and kept under the sofa, ready to be produced at the proper time.
parlor/ˈpɑɹɫɝ/40× in the book
… and clattering everything she touched; Beth trotted to and fro between parlor and kitchen, quiet and busy …
sorrow/ˈsɑɹoʊ/40× in the book
Let's hear the sound of the baby-pianny," said Hannah, who always took a share in the family joys and sorrows.
exclaim/ɪkˈskɫeɪm/40× in the book
exclaimed Jo.
delightful/dɪˈɫaɪtfəɫ/39× in the book
… motherly lady, with a "can-I-help-you" look about her which was truly delightful.
fond/ˈfɑnd/39× in the book
… and conquer themselves so beautifully, that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women."
ashamed/əˈʃeɪmd/38× in the book
Everybody sniffed when they came to that part; Jo wasn't ashamed of the great tear that dropped off the end of her nose, and Amy never minded the rumpling of her curls as she hid her face on her mother's shoulder and sobbed out …
queer/ˈkwɪɹ/36× in the book
Fortunately it was early, and they went through back streets, so few people saw them, and no one laughed at the queer party.
bonnet/ˈbɑnət/34× in the book
She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world.
temper/ˈtɛmpɝ/34× in the book
… but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else," said Jo, thinking that keeping her temper at home was a much harder task than facing a rebel or two down South.
patience/ˈpeɪʃəns/34× in the book
Boys are trying enough to human patience, goodness knows!
lively/ˈɫaɪvɫi/33× in the book
… hopeful letter, full of lively descriptions of camp life, marches …
sketch/ˈskɛtʃ/33× in the book
As young readers like to know "how people look," we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who sat knitting away in the twilight …
seldom/ˈsɛɫdəm/33× in the book
Elizabeth—or Beth, as every one called her—was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice, and a peaceful expression, which was seldom disturbed.
despair/dɪˈspɛɹ/32× in the book
Jo gave a despairing groan, and Meg laughed outright, while Beth let her bread burn as she watched the fun, with interest.
hop/ˈhɑp/31× in the book
… Jo did "tell on," all about their plays and plans, their hopes and fears for father, and the most interesting events of the little world in which the sisters lived.
regret/ɹəˈɡɹɛt/31× in the book
I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made a mess," groaned poor Jo, regarding the black pancakes with tears of regret.
softly/ˈsɔfɫi/31× in the book
No one but Beth could get much music out of the old piano; but she had a way of softly touching the yellow keys, and making a pleasant accompaniment to the simple songs they sung.
silly/ˈsɪɫi/31× in the book
"I knew you'd hurt your feet with those silly shoes.
peep/ˈpip/30× in the book
Jo saw a big red-headed youth approaching her corner, and fearing he meant to engage her, she slipped into a curtained recess, intending to peep and enjoy herself in peace.
decidedly/ˌdɪˈsaɪdədɫi/30× in the book
"I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing-pencils; I really need them," said Amy decidedly.
bless/ˈbɫɛs/30× in the book
… all join in a joyful chorus, and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.
kindly/ˈkaɪndɫi/29× in the book
Mrs. Gardiner, a stately old lady, greeted them kindly, and handed them over to the eldest of her six daughters.
rosy/ˈɹoʊzi/29× in the book
… and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day.
spoilt29× in the book
… and Jo wandered through the airs at her own sweet will, always coming out at the wrong place with a croak or a quaver that spoilt the most pensive tune.
gown/ˈɡaʊn/29× in the book
"I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China-aster!
cheerful/ˈtʃɪɹfəɫ/28× in the book
The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly,—
pillow/ˈpɪɫoʊ/28× in the book
"Look under your pillows, Christmas morning, and you will find your guide-book," replied Mrs. March.
pardon/ˈpɑɹdən/27× in the book
I beg your pardon for being so rude, but sometimes you forget to put down the curtain at the window where the flowers are …
sunshine/ˈsənˌʃaɪn/27× in the book
A quick, bright smile went round like a streak of sunshine.
Pronunciation: ipa-dict (MIT), from Wiktionary.
Read the book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary