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 CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
alarming
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From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
black
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From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
boat
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From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
boat's
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From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
chirp
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From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
clearly
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From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
CONCLUSION
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From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
defined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
dip
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From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
ears
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From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
grounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
growing
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From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
hand
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From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
heard
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From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
hour
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From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
intervals
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From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
larger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
more
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From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
oars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
pausing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island was every moment growing larger, the beach more plain to the eye, and the hill more clearly defined.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For nearly half an hour we pulled on, pausing at intervals to listen, but nothing of an alarming nature met our ears.
rowlocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a light showed itself, and everything was as still as the grave; the only noise to be heard was the steady dip, dip of the oars in the smooth water and now and then the chirp of the rowlocks.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the boat grounded we sprang out and, leaving one hand to look after her, made our way ashore.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCLUSION Once we had left her side and turned our boat's nose towards the land, the yacht lay behind us, a black mass, nearly absorbed in the general shadow.
