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 However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
according
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
agreement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
answering
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From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
apiece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
blacken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
cents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
contemplating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
eventful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
injure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
intending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
legitimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
MOMENTOUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
OCCASION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
purchased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
receipts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
Saturday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
sell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
seriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
successful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
theatrical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
tickets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They did not realize what this loss of time had cost them, for nearly all of the tickets had been sold, and in contemplating the theatrical receipts, those that should have come from the legitimate business were entirely lost sight of.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading At least half their time that day was spent in answering the questions of intending patrons, or those who had already purchased their tickets; and of course while they were thus engaged they could not sell papers or blacken boots.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, when they stopped work at five o'clock, according to agreement, so that they would be sure to have time to dress before eight, they had not made more than ten cents apiece.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading However successful a venture the opening of a theatre might prove to the five boys interested, it was quite evident, before that eventful Saturday had passed, that it would seriously injure their regular business.
