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 “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
act
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From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
all
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From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
alphabet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
burnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
cannot
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From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
character
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From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
cheat
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From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
child's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
cork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
expansion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
gist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
kindly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
Making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
mise-en-scène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
mustachios
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
self-reliance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
sensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
soberness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
suitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Making believe” is the gist of his whole life, and he cannot so much as take a walk except in character.
Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I could not learn my alphabet without some suitable _mise-en-scène_, and had to act a business man in an office before I could sit down to my book.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the child’s world of dim sensation, play is all in all.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I remember, as though it were yesterday, the expansion of spirit, the dignity and self-reliance, that came with a pair of mustachios in burnt cork, even when there was none to see.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading Will you kindly question your memory, and find out how much you did, work or pleasure, in good faith and soberness, and for how much you had to cheat yourself with some invention?
