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 been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
accept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
belief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
consciences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
editor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
editors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
favor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
justly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
magazines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
mainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
merited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
periodicals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
readers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
recognition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
refuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
serial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
studied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
Verrian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The success of Verrian did not come early, and it did not come easily.
Verrian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a serious story, and it was somewhat bitter, as Verrian himself was, after his struggle to reach the public with work which he knew merited recognition.
won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been trying a long time to get his work into the best magazines, and when he had won the favor of the editors, whose interest he had perhaps had from the beginning, it might be said that they began to accept his work from their consciences, because in its way it was so good that they could not justly refuse it.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, if they were not so numerous as the worse, he felt had now and then the right to have their pleasure studied.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The particular editor who took Verrian's serial, after it had come back to the author from the editors of the other leading periodicals, was in fact moved mainly by the belief that the story would please the better sort of his readers.
