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 If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
arrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
bolder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
check
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
conclusions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
consideration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
considerations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
deeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Potter Waite was injured early in May.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
injured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Potter Waite was injured early in May.
intervened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
limousine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
major
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
pillowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
Potter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Potter Waite was injured early in May.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three months passed before he was able to take the air even in a slowly driven, pillowed limousine.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
trial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
urging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
vital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
Waite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Potter Waite was injured early in May.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Potter Waite was injured early in May.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
wider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only had he the opportunity, but a vital consideration had intervened, urging him to wider, deeper, bolder considerations.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If ever a chance were given a human being to check up on his accounts, take a trial balance, and arrive at definite conclusions with respect to himself, Potter had that chance.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If every young man could be put in a position where he could do nothing but think for a matter of a couple of months just at that time when he is ready to take up the major business of his life, one may well believe the history of the world would be other and better than it is.
