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 idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/
to reach or total a particular quantity or value
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
Bob's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
deposit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
entitled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
farthest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
friend's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
hesitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
improve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/
demanded something firmly
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
moonlighters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
neglected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
RED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RED ROCK.
reward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
ROCK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RED ROCK.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
services
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If any one had said to him that he was entitled to any considerable reward because he had given up his own business to improve the value of his friend's property, he would have said truly that he had not neglected his own business, since just at that time there was no work for moonlighters to do.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
voluntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had started in on the work with no idea of being paid for his services, although if oil was found, and he had needed any small amount of money, he would not have hesitated to ask for it.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had gone to work to open the well simply because he was anxious to prove to those who had declared he knew nothing about it, that there was a large deposit of oil where he had always insisted there must be.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The idea that Ralph and George would voluntarily give him a portion of what he considered to be very valuable property, was the farthest thought from Bob's mind.
