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 A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
abortive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
alleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
artifices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
CHANGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
characteristic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
darksome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
Few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
foul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
FRONT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
fruitless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
habitations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
HEpronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
hiding-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
hovels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
labyrinth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
maze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
naught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
quarry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
seamy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
snares
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
Steele
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
uncover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
utilized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this knowledge he utilized to the best advantage, always to find that his efforts came to naught.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few men knew the seamy side of London better than John Steele: its darksome streets and foul alleys, its hovels and various habitations.
vigor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
vision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man had appeared like a vision from the past, and vanished.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The snares he set before possible hiding-places proved abortive; the artifices he employed to uncover the quarry in maze or labyrinth were fruitless.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A CHANGE OF FRONT HE found the task no easy one, however, although he went at it with his characteristic vigor and energy.
