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 The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
aback
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
concealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
good-humored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
immobile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
imported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
indication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
indistinctive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
instinctive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
jaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
mask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
muscular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
offering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
practical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
preoccupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
reflect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
remarkablenounUS /ˈremarkable/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
saluted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
Sperry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
squarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
studious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
training
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
trustees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
unlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
vacuity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
