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 seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
apparently
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From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
Austin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
bearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
bridge
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From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
called
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From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
compass
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From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
end
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From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
fathoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
funnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
heave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
LAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
mailboat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
palms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
rang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
SHADOWnounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
the captain of a small ship or boat
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
slanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
southern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
surfboat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
undulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He watched them for some minutes, and then took their bearing carefully upon the compass, before he rang for half speed and called Austin to the bridge.
we'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
West-coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE LAND OF THE SHADOW It was towards the end of the afternoon when the skipper of the West-coast mailboat, peering through his glasses, made out two palms that rose apparently straight out of the sea.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
wrinkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to Austin that this was more than probable, for although there was not an air of wind to wrinkle it, a long heave came up in vast, slow undulations out of the southern horizon, and the little mailboat swung over them with sharply slanted spars and funnel.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "After that it will have to be the surfboat, and I fancy you will be very wet when you get ashore."
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That's your island, and we'll run in until I get under six fathoms," he said.
