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 Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
addition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
caliber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others told him to call later in the season.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
combine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
commission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
deficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
firms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
Gollop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
humor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
ill-fame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
jest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others told him to call later in the season.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
manager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
off-season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others told him to call later in the season.
preceded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
sales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
samples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others told him to call later in the season.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
territory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
thereto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. James Gollop discovered in the course of the following three days that although most business men enjoy a joke, their sense of humor is so deficient that they don't care to combine jest and business.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Others told him to call later in the season.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
vacancies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His ill-fame had preceded him, and in addition thereto, it was the off-season, and vacancies few.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
We'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
willing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Others who would have given him samples were firms of such small caliber that he could not see any future, and several were willing to take him on commission sales only.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "We'd like to have you, Jim," said one sales manager, "but the trouble is that we should want you to take up the territory where you are well known, and that, of course, is impossible."
