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 definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
affair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
came
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From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
church
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From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
cousin
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From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
day
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From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
decide
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From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
decision
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From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
definite
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From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
difficult
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From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
down
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From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
exactly
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From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
former
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From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
Fortunately
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From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
practically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
profession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
reshaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately the decision was not difficult, as former inclination had practically settled the matter.
shaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
Staggchase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile he had before him the problem of reshaping his life.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was necessary that he decide what should take the place of the profession which he had laid down.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The definite shaping of his plans came one day in a talk which he had with his cousin.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It isn't exactly my affair, Maurice," Mrs. Staggchase said, "but I want to know, and that always makes a thing her affair with a woman,--what are you going to do with your life now that you have pulled it out of the mouth of the church?"