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 A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
after-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Forward! forward!" cried all in chorus.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔrəs/
a group singing together
From this reading "Forward! forward!" cried all in chorus.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Forward! forward!" cried all in chorus.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
HUDSON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
levers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
P
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
steam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
True
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
UP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
VOYAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and were waking up.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading "Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are going?"
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a moment or two he will move."
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON As four P.M. approached, I took the children to a great glass window in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
