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 He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
aims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
apart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
Cincinnati
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
companionship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
connection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
consider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
consistently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
control
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
experiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
ideas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
interests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
Irregular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
Jennie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
Lester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
matrimonial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
nil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
offering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
organization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
outcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
practically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
proposition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
refused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
Robert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked on his father’s business organization as offering a real chance for himself if he could get control of it; but he saw no way of doing so.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Robert’s interests were always in the way, and, if anything, the two brothers were farther apart than ever in their ideas and aims.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His interest in the social affairs of Cincinnati was now practically nil, and he had consistently refused to consider any matrimonial proposition which had himself as the object.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Irregular as the connection might be in the eyes of the church and of society, it had brought him peace and comfort, and he was perfectly satisfied with the outcome of the experiment.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For three years now Lester had been happy in the companionship of Jennie.
