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 While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
aiming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was stout, but he was not grotesque.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
complexion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
drill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
Eastern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
flannel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
grotesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was stout, but he was not grotesque.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had time to observe him.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
Harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had time to observe him.
idling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was stout, but he was not grotesque.
noticeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
obliquely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
observe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had time to observe him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
pavement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
stout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was stout, but he was not grotesque.
suits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had time to observe him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had time to observe him.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
tunic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
water's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading While we were hanging about near the water’s edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the “front” of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.
