Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
abruptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
alleyway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
Bateman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
bondsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
chopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
clothesline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
false
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
friend's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
kindling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
Pete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
pound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
splitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sound abruptly ceased when he thrust in his head.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed to Ned that the best use he could make of his liberty was to pound Pete Bateman.
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When, still silent, he parted from his silent bondsmen, he went without delay to his false friend's home.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact he heard the sound of chopping wood as he opened the gate.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the alleyway, as he always did, being pretty sure of finding the boys at this hour in the back yard splitting kindling or bringing in the wash from the clothesline, or engaged in similar small domestic duties.
