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 It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
bachelor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
boast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
century
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
COLONEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLONEL OSBORNE.
Conservative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
independent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
OSBORNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLONEL OSBORNE.
Parliament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
politician
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
proving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
sportsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
voted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing at all.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It will only be necessary to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member of society.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted with the Conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving himself to be so.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half century of years lightly on his shoulders.
