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 [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
bodies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
characters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
charcoal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
color
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
dignified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
fascinating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
Galactic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
incongruous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
Johnny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
jumper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
loiterers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
Mayhem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could have been more incongruous.
Observer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
Ophiuchus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
pince-nez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
science
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
sedate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
series
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
Sirian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loiterers in the street near the Galactic Observer's building looked, and pointed, and laughed.
string-tie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
treat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
two-piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
two-tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
wears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Johnny, who wears different bodies the way ordinary people wear clothes, is one of the most fascinating series characters in science fiction._] When he reached Ophiuchus, Johnny Mayhem was wearing the body of an elderly Sirian gentleman.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Sirian wore a pince-nez, a dignified two-piece jumper in a charcoal color, sedate two-tone boots and a black string-tie.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _If you've never read a Johnny Mayhem story before, you are in for a treat.
