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 Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He approached simpering.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
band-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
barber-fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
barrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
cameo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
careless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
cheek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
CHESTNUTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE CHESTNUTS.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
curled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
elaboration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
FairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
glossy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
gloves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
good-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He approached simpering.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
Ionic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
lavender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
neat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
pistol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
precision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
rolls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
simpering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He approached simpering.
slender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
studs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER THE CHESTNUTS.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
toilet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
tresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
Trevor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
twisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
type
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER THE CHESTNUTS.
Vane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
varnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a general air of May Fair—cameo studs, varnished boots, and lavender gloves—that had nothing of the rough and careless country in it.
volute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
whiskers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was in his toilet something of elaboration and precision which was uncomfortable, and made one fear to shake hands with him, and wish him safely back again in his band-box.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vane Trevor was rather good-looking; a young gentleman of the slender and delicate type; his dark hair curled, and on his small forehead one of those tresses, twisted, barber-fashion, into a neat little Ionic volute, and his glossy whiskers were curled on each cheek into little rolls like pistol barrels.
