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 So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
accountant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
applicants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
coldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
destined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
employer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
exactitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
exhausted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
expeditiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
favour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
merest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
occupy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
precisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
sole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
tarried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
tasks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was by the merest chance that I obtained the situation, for there were many applicants; but I was quick at figures, and that quality served me.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
wandered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This was precisely what was required of me, and I rose into favour with my employer.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading I tarried here and tarried there, and found no rest for the sole of my foot until I reached a city where, before my means were exhausted, I obtained employment in the office of an accountant.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position was not a distinguished one; I was not destined to occupy it long, however, for being coldly interested in my work--simply because it enabled me to live--I performed the tasks set for me to do, not only expeditiously, but with the exactitude of a machine.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So, without a friend in the world, I wandered still further away from the town in which I was born.
