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 That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
account
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From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
acquaintances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
become
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From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
behaved
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From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
best
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From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
Bradford
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From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
cordiality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
Dwight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
EARNEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
fun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
Gene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
Goodloe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
half-contemptuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
half-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
Humphrey
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From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
Ira
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
Ira's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
Johnston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
Lyons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
Mart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
modestly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
phrase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
politely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
proceedings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
prominence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
renewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
secretly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
shaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
Society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had sense enough to show his best side, and behaved quietly and even modestly and let the others do most of the talking.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was received politely by new acquaintances, more on Ira's account than his own, for Ira had become a person of prominence now, and with a fair degree of cordiality by those he had met before.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He pretended to make fun of the proceedings, but was secretly very pleased.
visits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "OLD EARNEST" Humphrey was "breaking into Society," to use his own half-contemptuous phrase.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading That is to say, he had made two visits with Ira, had renewed acquaintances with Fred Lyons and Gene Goodloe and Mart Johnston and Dwight Bradford, and had shaken hands with perhaps a half-dozen others.
