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 My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
amusement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
authors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
beguiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
bestowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
chanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
critical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
darkling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
Dog-Fiend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
Easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
elder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
FaithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
Father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
favorite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
fun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
Jacob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
Japhet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
leisure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
Marryat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
Midshipman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
moods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
names
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
novels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
passion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
reserves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
Search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
shiver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
Snarle-yow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
store
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I believe I had no critical reserves in regard to them, but simply they did not take my fancy.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Still, we had great fun with Japhet in 'Search of a Father', and with 'Midshipman Easy', and we felt a fine physical shiver in the darkling moods of 'Snarle-yow the Dog-Fiend.'
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I read them after him with a great deal of amusement, but without the passion that I bestowed upon my favorite authors.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My elder brother, for whom there was no place in the office where I worked, had found one in a store, and he beguiled the leisure that light trade left on his hands by reading the novels of Captain Marryat.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not remember even the names of the other novels, except 'Jacob Faithful,' which I chanced upon a few years ago and found very, hard reading.
