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 For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
acquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
avail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
capacity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
Coleridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
comfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
comparative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
competence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
darkened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
drifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
earn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
giant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
gift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
grapple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
IDEAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
ill-health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
largely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
Other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
poverty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
preceding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was master of a rare and exquisite gift, but it did not avail him.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
respects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
rudder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
SEARCH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
talent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
tithe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
Trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trouble, largely if not altogether of his own making, anxiety, comparative poverty, ill-health, these were the shadows that darkened his days.
twenty-third
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
University
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
well-ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For him life was a problem with which he could not grapple; although he had a giant's strength he did not know how to use it.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Other men, with a tithe of his talent and the full capacity for living a well-ordered life, could earn a comfortable competence, acquire honour and command respect, while Coleridge, who was in so many respects their master, drifted across the wide waters of life, a ship without a rudder.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL When Coleridge left the University he had entered his twenty-third year; he had rather more than forty before him, but, as the two preceding years had been, so were the most of those that followed.
