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 “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
affairs
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
affectionate
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
afraid
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From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
allowed
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From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
always
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
appears
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
arranged
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
bed
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
Boy
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
burden
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
chance
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From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
choicest
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
comes
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
curiously
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
deserving
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
Desmond
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From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
discussed
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
earth's
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
evening
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
fashion
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
favour
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
female
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
FortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
frequently
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
future
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
getting
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
gifts
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
gone
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
humanity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
interest
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
It's
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From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
jumbled-up
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
Leslie
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
Letty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
luck
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
Major
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
male
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
Miss
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From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
most
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
odd
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From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
person
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
possibilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
prevents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
said
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From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
scoundrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
showers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
specially
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
splendid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
surface
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From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
true
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From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
unfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It’s odd--it’s unfair, but it’s true.”
unfavourable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
unworthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Fortune frequently showers her choicest gifts on the most unworthy scoundrels, male and female, that burden this earth’s surface.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
way
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From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The affairs of humanity are arranged in a very curiously jumbled-up fashion, and I have always found that when some specially good luck appears about to favour a deserving person, something unfavourable comes in the way and prevents him getting it.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Of course,” said Desmond, “it is a splendid chance for the boy,--but, Letty, that is just the very reason that I am afraid he will not be allowed to have it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading That evening, after Boy had gone to bed, Miss Leslie and the Major discussed the possibilities of his future with great and affectionate interest.
