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 From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
blurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
Bob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
commodore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
contract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
contracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
electrocuted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would certainly “get his.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
harder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
popular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
ridden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
tar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was asked everywhere that was anywhere and he went, too.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To tell the truth—to blurt out nothing but the truth to every one, and on every occasion, for three whole weeks—that’s what Bob had contracted to do.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Bob had such a wide circle of friends, too, which would make his task the harder; the handsome dog was popular.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading From the point of view of the commodore and the others, the man who tried to fill this contract would certainly be shot, or electrocuted, or ridden out of town on a rail, or receive a coat of tar and feathers.
