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 The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
Chiltern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
closeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
Comparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
daughter-in-law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
Earl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
Effingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
induce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
influence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
lover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
nearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
Notes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
obedience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
separation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
undertake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
Violet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Of course I think it right that he should do something,” Violet had said.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
willingness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet expressed a great doubt as to this willingness of obedience; but, nevertheless, she promised to do her best, and she did her best.
wishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old lord, wishing to induce his son to undertake work of some sort, and feeling that his own efforts in this direction were worse than useless, had closeted himself with his intended daughter-in-law, and had obtained from her a promise that she would use her influence with her lover.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Comparing Notes It would, perhaps, be difficult to decide,--between Lord Chiltern and Miss Effingham,--which had been most wrong, or which had been nearest to the right, in the circumstances which had led to their separation.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “And he will if you bid him,” replied the Earl.
