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 A SURPRISE.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
ashore
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From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
brokers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
Carl
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From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
Carl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
cashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
checks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
clerks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
confronted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
drays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
patiently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
pedestrians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
process
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
separated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
sights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
SURPRISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SURPRISE.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
Thompson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Carl knew right where he was going, and in process of time reached the bank.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He entered as though he had a perfect right there, and once on the inside he found himself confronted by a long line of men who had come there on business—brokers’ clerks who had come there to get their boxes, and others to get their checks cashed—and, standing his friends up against a desk, fell into the rear and patiently waited until his turn came.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When they got ashore they found themselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city, and they were so taken up with them that they could not say much to each other.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thompson kept close at Carl’s side all the way, for he was afraid that if he became separated from him he would get lost among the drays and pedestrians.
