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 Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
awaiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
date
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
debts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/
released from a duty or job
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
efface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
enchantmentnounUS /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
a magic spell or the state caused by one
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
endeavored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
fearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
Gillenormand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
gratitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
intending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
marry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
owed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
pre-occupations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
preparation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
researches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
retrospective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
scrupulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
Thénardier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He owed gratitude in various quarters; he owed it on his father’s account, he owed it on his own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marius’ enchantment, great as it was, could not efface from his mind other pre-occupations.
wedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the wedding was in preparation, and while awaiting the date fixed upon, he caused difficult and scrupulous retrospective researches to be made.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There was Thénardier; there was the unknown man who had brought him, Marius, back to M. Gillenormand.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Marius endeavored to find these two men, not intending to marry, to be happy, and to forget them, and fearing that, were these debts of gratitude not discharged, they would leave a shadow on his life, which promised so brightly for the future.
