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 PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
BEINGauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
boy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
career
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
comforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
developed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
easy-going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
educational
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
Fielding's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
Frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
Fred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
holiday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
non-ambitious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
PIRATESnounUS /ˈpirates/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
PLAYING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
PoornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Poor Frank!
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
prospects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
SEA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
son's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
STORM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Frank Fielding's life was not quite like his friend Fred's in one particular; for Frank could always have a holiday when he wanted one.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father was an easy-going, non-ambitious man; he possessed all the comforts of this world, and very much enjoyed them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
WRECK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PLAYING AT BEING PIRATES--A STORM AT SEA--THE WRECK.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you had asked him about his son's prospects in life, he would have told you that he was pleased enough to let the boy enjoy himself; that very likely there was a career of some kind before him when he developed; but that meanwhile he left all his educational affairs to his--the boy's--mother.
