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 He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
absence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
ALL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
Balham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
BEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
check
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
Cheriton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
commerce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
completion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
Crosby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
EVERYTHINGpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
feather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress he was making in his profession he felt was out of all proportion to his talent.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
induced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Lascelles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress he was making in his profession he felt was out of all proportion to his talent.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress he was making in his profession he felt was out of all proportion to his talent.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
portrait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
POSSIBLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
Priscilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
profession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress he was making in his profession he felt was out of all proportion to his talent.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
proportion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The progress he was making in his profession he felt was out of all proportion to his talent.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
suburb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
talent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
undoubted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Further, by the interest and undoubted talent for commerce of his friend Lord Cheriton, Mr. Crosby of the Foreign Office had been induced to rise to seven hundred and fifty pounds for the portrait of Mrs. Crosby and her children.
uninspired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far as the things of this world were concerned, Jim really returned to his mother in high feather.
WORLDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading EVERYTHING FOR THE BEST IN THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS Jim Lascelles returned to Balham exactly nine days after he had left that friendly but uninspired suburb.
Yorkshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had worked hard during his absence in Yorkshire; the picture of the fair Priscilla had made excellent progress, and there was a check for five hundred pounds in prospect on completion.
