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 clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
balusters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
clatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
climbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
clutching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
coasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
crashes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
crockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
decks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
disabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
Eastern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
freshened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
frightfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
furniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
GreatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
loud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
lurch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
Pitferge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
poop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
qualify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
steam-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
stormy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
