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 IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
bearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
betimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
Boffin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
buttons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
communicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
confounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
decent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
Dismal
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From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
to show or communicate a feeling or idea
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
footman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
gave
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From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkɑmprɪˈhensəbəl/
impossible or very difficult to understand
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
inherit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
intelligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
introduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
MAKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
ORPHAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
reluctance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
revealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
Show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Show him in.’
Sloppy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
spared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
surprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
Swamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
uttering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and incomprehensible buttons.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,’ said the Secretary in a perfectly composed way.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
WILLmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The footman who communicated this intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings of him the bearer.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave the name of Sloppy.
