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 “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
Alexander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
conquering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander was going on with his preparations for conquering the East.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
Cynic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
despise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
Diogenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
earthly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
East
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander was going on with his preparations for conquering the East.
ended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander was going on with his preparations for conquering the East.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
king
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
leg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
ninety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alexander was going on with his preparations for conquering the East.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
ox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander was going on with his preparations for conquering the East.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
raw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
supped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
tub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
Twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “And I am Diogenes the Cynic,” was the answer, in a tone as if he thought himself quite as good as the king.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alexander, however, talked much with him, and ended by asking if he could do anything for him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve years later, Diogenes, then past ninety, was found dead in his tub, having supped the night before upon the raw leg of an ox; and, strangely enough, it was the very night that Alexander died.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only stand out of my sunshine,” was the answer; and as the young king went away he said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes;” meaning, perhaps, that if he were not to master all earthly things, he would rather despise them.
