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 gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
boss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a group of things tied or wrapped together
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
cursing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
donned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
hire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
Jurgis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
killing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
Promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
secondhand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it he did not object.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed the boss, who showed him where to put his street clothes, and waited while he donned the working clothes he had bought in a secondhand shop and brought with him in a bundle; then he led him to the “killing beds.”
