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 The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
acting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
askance
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From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
cab
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From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
compatriots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
conclusion
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From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
contents
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From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
copies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
dirty
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From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
Drury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
entrance
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From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
Gaiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
Ill-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
kerb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
Lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
PartynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
rabble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
ragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
recently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading SOPHIE ZAGAROVNA’S SECRET.
selling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
shoutednounUS /shouted/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
slums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
SOPHIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOPHIE ZAGAROVNA’S SECRET.
Strand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
suspecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The dirty ragged rabble from the slums off Drury Lane eyed me with askance as a new hand, little suspecting that I was acting the part of detective.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
Theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
touts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
unwashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was engaged in watching one of my compatriots who had recently arrived in England, and whom the Party regarded with suspicion.
winter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the kerb in the Strand, opposite the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre, I was, one wet winter’s night, selling newspapers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ill-clad and unwashed, I lounged about with the cab touts who were waiting for the conclusion of the performance, and although for the past hour I had shouted the contents of the papers under my arm, I had only sold three copies.
ZAGAROVNA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOPHIE ZAGAROVNA’S SECRET.
