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 By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
Allchin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "And what'll become of him then?" asked Will.
assistant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And what'll become of him then?" asked Will.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
capital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
competitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
dealer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
disastrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
drink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
gossip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
neighbourhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
overcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
respectable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
snapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
starve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
surroundings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And what'll become of him then?" asked Will.
thrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
thumb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
twinkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Allchin reported, with a twinkle of the eye, that all his capital had gone in the new start, and it was already clear that his business did not thrive.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very respectable man, people said; kind husband, good father, honest dealer.
Warburton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We shall starve him out!" cried the assistant, snapping his thumb and finger.
what'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And what'll become of him then?" asked Will.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "And what'll become of him then?" asked Will.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading By way of Allchin, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, Warburton learnt that his new competitor in trade was a man with five children and a wife given to drink; he had been in business in another part of London, and was suspected to have removed with the hope that new surroundings might help his wife to overcome her disastrous failing.
