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 That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But he did linger day after day.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
Allison's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
AlonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
Bain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
Barstow
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From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
day
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From this reading But he did linger day after day.
deep
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From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But he did linger day after day.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
homesick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
hope
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From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
John's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
lad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
linger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
purse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
remorseful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
resist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
temptation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
weaknessnounUS /ˈwiːknəs/
a lack of physical strength
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
wickedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
Willie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And whatever else I may do, I must first find Willie Bain and help him as he may need, for Allison's sake."
wisdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Alone, homesick, remorseful, there was little hope of his doing well without help from some one.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But time was precious, and John's purse was not very deep; and if he were to see anything of this wonderful country, he told himself, he must not linger long in Barstow.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That this lad who, not through wickedness perhaps, but through weakness and folly, had brought sorrow on all who loved him, would have strength and wisdom to resist all temptation, and begin a new life in a new land, was hardly to be believed.
