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 The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
afar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
all
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From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
britshka
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From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
cheery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
child
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From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
Clarence
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From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
coach
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From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
coach-horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
ease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
evening
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From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
eye
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From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
fearless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
fun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
graver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
Griff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
Griffith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
harnessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
hush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
MENELLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MENELLA SMEDLEY.
mountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
Plays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
poke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
seas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
slope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
SMEDLEY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MENELLA SMEDLEY.
Spreads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
stage-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
star
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
successors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
twinkling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
Upreaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The valley lies in shadow, But the valley lies afar; And the mountain is a slope of light Upreaching to a star.’
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
wayside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading ‘The child upon the mountain side Plays fearless and at ease, While the hush of purple evening Spreads over earth and seas.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading HOW pleasant it was to hear Griffith’s cheery voice, as he swung himself down, out of a cloud of dust, from the top of the coach at the wayside stage-house, whither Clarence and I had driven in the new britshka to meet him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the four fine coach-horses were led off, and their successors harnessed in almost the twinkling of an eye, Griff was with us; and we did nothing but laugh and poke fun at each other all the way home, without a word of graver matters.