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 At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
any
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
apples
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From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
bank
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From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
begged
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From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
breath
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
called
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From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
claws
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
coiled
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
dared
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From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
daughters
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From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
deadly
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
difficult
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From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
direct
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From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
dragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a mythical or imagined creature shaped like a large reptile
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
dragon's
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
Eridanus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
escaped
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
fierce
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
fire
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From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
games
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From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
Garden
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From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
go
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From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
god
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From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
HerculesnounUS /ˈhɜːrkjəliːz/
(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
Hercules's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
hero
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From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
Hesperides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
Hesperus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
II
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
jealously
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From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
labors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
met
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From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
Much
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From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
nostrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
nymphs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
PartnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
poured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
procure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
River
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From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
robber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
slain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
sporting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
tarry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
venturesome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
wandered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Much as he would have liked to rest, the hero dared not tarry; but he begged the friendly nymphs to tell him the way to the Garden of the Hesperides.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The first help he received was from the nymphs of the Eridanus River, who were sporting on the river bank and called to Hercules to come and join in their games.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part II One of the most difficult of Hercules's labors was to procure the golden apples that the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, god of the west, guarded very jealously.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Hercules did not know in what part of the great glowing west the Garden of the Hesperides lay, he wandered many miles before he met with any one who could direct him where to go.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At the foot of the tree coiled a fierce dragon whose nostrils poured out fire, and whose deadly breath would have slain any venturesome robber, even if he had escaped the dragon's claws.
