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 smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
affability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
became
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From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
business
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From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
carried
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From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
choir
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From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
commenced
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From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
deal
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From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
decorous
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From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
decorum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
doubt
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From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
end
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From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
fairly
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From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
gentlemanly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
good-natured
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From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
grew
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From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
hum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
Indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
most
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From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
nature
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From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
proceedings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
reverence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
services
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
Theodore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
Theodore's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
THISdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
transact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It became necessary to transact a great deal of business after the services had fairly commenced.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, as time passed this grew to be by no means the most trying part of the proceedings of the choir.
tune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
tunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
undertone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THIS was the beginning, but by no means the end.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The smiling Theodore was a perfect gentleman, no doubt, as regarded affability of manners, and he carried his point, whatever it was, by sheer good-natured audacity, but reverence for the house of God seemed to have no place in his nature.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he wanted to hum a new tune during prayer time, why he hummed the tune, in decorous undertone, it is true, and looking perfectly good-natured the while; but to hum tunes and turn leaves seemed to be the gentlemanly Theodore's idea of decorum in prayer time.
