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. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
according
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
analysis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
argued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
baffling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
boastfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
delighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
differences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
excitedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
exotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
explain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was herein that he was exotic.
herein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was herein that he was exotic.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was herein that he was exotic.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
Palford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
privately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
problems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
resentful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
roughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
rudimentary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
rules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
secretly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
solicitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
subtle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
swagger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
Tembarom's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
temperament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
extremely frightened
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was herein that he was exotic.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
Type
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Type as exotic as Tembarom's was to his solicitor naturally suggested problems.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford found his charge baffling because, according to ordinary rules, a young man so rudimentary should have presented no problems not perfectly easy to explain.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Palford, who was not given to subtle analysis of differences in character and temperament, argued privately that an English youth who had been brought up in the streets would have been one of two or three things.
youth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have been secretly terrified and resentful, roughly awkward and resentful, or boastfully delighted and given to a common youth's excitedly common swagger at finding himself suddenly a “swell.”
