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 “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
Atkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
Bockers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
Catty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
cheaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
Dad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
fixin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
mad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
price
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
shaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Atkins had been showing a little more interest in his business since Bockers started.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been in town a month now, and it seemed to me like I could see some change in him already.
trimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t just that Catty made him keep shaved and his beard trimmed, but it was sort of in the way he talked and how he looked at things.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t that he wanted to work any more, but it sort of made him mad to have another man prevent him from working, like Bockers was trying to do.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Dad,” said Catty, after Jim Bockers had been in business a week or so, and had got about all the business there was going just by waiting till Catty and his father made a price for the job and then doing the work cheaper than they would, “I got a idea for fixin’ Bockers.”
