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 roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
ash-trays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
brazen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
butts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
cackling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
cigarette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
club's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
cocktail-glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
drained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
Enoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
freshly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
hair-trigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
heaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
high-keyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
hilarity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
Lamont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
littered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
outbursts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
passer-by
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
perorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
poisonous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Enoch entered the room, he saw, to his satisfaction, that Lamont was among the group.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
silver-plated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A roar of laughter broke from the big front room as Enoch crossed the club’s hall.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
thrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
volley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
weeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some stories, like some poisonous weeds, are born and thrive in the shade.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was one of those high-keyed, cackling outbursts that perorated the point of a new story and left no possible doubt to the passer-by as to what kind of a story it was.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The volley of hilarity came from a group of men seated around a small table littered with eight freshly drained cocktail-glasses, a silver-plated bell with a hair-trigger, and three brazen ash-trays heaped with cigarette butts.
