Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
arriving
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From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
bachelor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
bending
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From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
came
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From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
clerk
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From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
continuous
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From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
damp
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From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
desired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
fifteen
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From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
forty
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From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
francs
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From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
Gad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
industry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
Leras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
luxury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
monotonous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
musty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
odor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
platonic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
prison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
sewer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had remained a bachelor, as his means did not allow him the luxury of a wife, and as he had never enjoyed anything, he desired nothing.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was always damp and cold, and from this hole on which his window opened came the musty odor of a sewer.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, tired of this continuous and monotonous work, he formed a platonic wish: “Gad!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now making three thousand francs a year, having started at fifteen hundred.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For forty years Monsieur Leras had been arriving every morning in this prison at eight o'clock, and he would remain there until seven at night, bending over his books, writing with the industry of a good clerk.
