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 After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
apparent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
arriving
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From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
conductor
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From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
depot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
ENGAGEMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
failing
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From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
helplessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
hurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
inquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
Jet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
Passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
plunged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
pockets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
printednounUS /printed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
purchased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
ride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
screw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
throng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passengers coming and going paid no attention to the boy, save to push him out of their road, and he was even more alone in the hurrying throng than he had been on the street.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
truck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
unfolded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
wandering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT It was necessary for Jet to inquire the way to the depot spoken of by his new acquaintance, and after arriving there his helplessness seemed more apparent than before.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I might as well find out about this murder," he said to himself, as he unfolded the printed sheet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The paper purchased on the evening previous was the only thing which met his touch.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading After wandering to and fro, trying to screw up courage enough to ask the conductor for a free ride, and failing in the effort because none of the train hands would give him an opportunity to speak with them, he sat down on a truck and mechanically plunged his hands in his pockets.
