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 When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
afflicted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
appreciate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
boldness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
Braden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
City
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
doctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
earnest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
fourteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
hopelessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
horde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
misconception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
newspaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
pier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
preceded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
prompted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
spokesman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
staggered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
startling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "How could you be sure that a person was hopelessly afflicted?"
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
Thorpe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the first time, he was made to appreciate "the importance of being earnest."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These men, through a frequently prompted spokesman, put questions to him that were so startling in their boldness that he was staggered by the misconception that had preceded him into his home land.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Dr. Braden Thorpe arrived in New York City on the fourteenth of March he was met at the pier by a horde of newspaper men.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading He was asked such questions as these: "But, doctor, would you do that sort of thing to a person who was dear to you,—say a wife, a mother or an only child?"
