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 "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
beg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
Berkeley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
day's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
dine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Why do we do it?
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
greasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
head-waiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
Hebblethwaite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
inactivity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
lunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
lunching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
Norgate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
portly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
protest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
punishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
Selingman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Is it my punishment for a day's inactivity, because if so, I beg to protest.
Soho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I did my best with Hebblethwaite this morning, and it was only because there was nothing for him to tell me that I heard nothing."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
voluble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Selingman spread himself out at the little table and talked in voluble German to the portly head-waiter in greasy clothes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Why do we do it?
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why do we do it?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I had no objection," Norgate remarked, a few hours later, "to lunching with you at the Berkeley--very good lunch it was, too--but to dine with you in Soho certainly seems to require some explanation.
