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 It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
absurd
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From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
affected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
air
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From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
all
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From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
amused
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From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
ape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
clothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
continually
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From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
cousins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
decked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
enliven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
gaudy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
heavens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
impudent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
Lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
metamorphosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
muggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
oppressiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
parroquets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
parrots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
pervaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
plumage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
raft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
scarlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
species
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
superiors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But on this occasion, all was still, even the birds being affected by the general oppressiveness.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
travellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
unnatural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An unnatural stillness pervaded the air, and nature seemed to have been metamorphosed into stone.
unrefreshing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
voyage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
waistcoats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In their voyage up the dark river, the travellers had been amused and interested by the numerous and strange birds which were continually flying overhead.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a burning hot day, not a cloud decked the dark blue sky which clothed the heavens, the very water of the river, generally so cool and pleasant, was hot, and muggy, and unrefreshing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
woodpeckers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Lovely green woodpeckers, with scarlet heads and waistcoats, parrots of gaudy plumage and impudent ways, tiny parroquets, which sought to ape their superiors in size and cousins in species by many absurd movements, would continually enliven the raft party as they worked their way up stream.
