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 Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
century
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
civilisation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
dibs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
fellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
ideas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
limited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
million
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
pert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
Smallways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
smarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
twentieth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
vulgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The luck had been against him so far, but that was by the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had lived all his life in narrow streets, and between mean houses he could not look over, and in a narrow circle of ideas from which there was no escape.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was, in fact, the sort of man who had made England and America what they were.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He thought the whole duty of man was to be smarter than his fellows, get his hands, as he put it, “on the dibs,” and have a good time.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I Bert Smallways was a vulgar little creature, the sort of pert, limited soul that the old civilisation of the early twentieth century produced by the million in every country of the world.
