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 Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
bandage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
Brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
bump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
cards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
cot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
derisive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
flinching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
gagged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpʌls/
a sudden strong desire to act
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
Instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
receding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
relish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although they studied him curiously, they found not a sign of flinching or of fear in the bright, steady eyes that looked at them over the bandage.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have killed before, but to bump a man off in cold blood and sit around waiting for it to come three o'clock to do it, I don't relish!"
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "I must say," said the man who had lost at cards, "this job is not at all to my taste.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Smith and Brown closed the door gently behind them, the four men listened to the receding footsteps, then the three turned with one impulse and stared at the man lying bound and gagged on the cot.
wriggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead, he wriggled his shoulders in a derisive way.
