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 He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
almost
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From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
arrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
assistant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
compulsion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
early
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From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
espionage
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From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
extremely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
fear
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From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
Guy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
handiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
hate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
investigation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
maid's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
maids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
neatest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
openly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
perpetual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
scheming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
tenderness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Both Guy and myself hate this life of constant scheming and of perpetual fear of discovery and arrest.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
Treysa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
Vienna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have had many maids from time to time, in Vienna and at Treysa, but I tell you quite openly that you are the handiest and neatest of them all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is exactly the difficulty, madame," was the lady's maid's reply.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He is a thief by compulsion, and I an assistant because I--well, I suppose I was trained to it so early that espionage and investigation come to me almost as second nature."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
woman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "And yet you can work--and work extremely well," remarked her royal mistress, with a woman's tenderness of heart.
