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 By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Come away, sir, come away!’ said he.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
Castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
ComenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Come away, sir, come away!’ said he.
dentist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
ensconced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
lawyer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He greeted me like an old friend.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
painless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
practically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
Robbie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Come away, sir, come away!’ said he.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Come away, sir, come away!’ said he.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
tiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
tin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading By half-past eight o’clock on the next morning, I was ringing the bell of the lawyer’s office in Castle Street, where I found him ensconced at a business table, in a room surrounded by several tiers of green tin cases.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘I am not so sure of that, Mr. Robbie,’ I replied, as I shook hands with him.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Here is the dentist ready for you, and I think I can promise you that the operation will be practically painless.’
