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 “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
affect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
awkwardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
boy
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From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
cap
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From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
cashier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
cheering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
ex-employer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
factory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
Fairbairn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
fog-wreaths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
governor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
Huxford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
merited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
reverie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
swinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
touching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
unchecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, John!” said Mr. Fairbairn, coming suddenly out of his reverie and taking up a letter from the table.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
wants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “You have been in my service since you were a boy, and you have shown that you merited the trust which I have placed in you.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
workman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The workman turned back and stood swinging his cap awkwardly in front of his ex-employer, while the crowd pushed on until the doorway was clear, and the heavy fog-wreaths rolled unchecked into the deserted factory.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Huxford,” said the cashier, touching on the shoulder the young fellow who had led the cheering; “the governor wants to speak to you.”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading From what I have heard I think I am right in saying that this sudden want of work will affect your plans more than it will many of my other hands.”
