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 frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
alder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was alone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
ball
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
banks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
birthday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
blacksmith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
bough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
canal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
awkward in movement or handling things
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
Epworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
fashioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
flooded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
helping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
Hetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
homemade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
hunched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
Indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
Johnny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
listlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
numbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
pains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
pollard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
red-breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
sails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
shaft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was alone.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
skates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
steel-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
strapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was alone.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But where Hetty waited the banks were higher, and the red ball on the horizon sent a level shaft down the lane between them.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
Whitelamb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She had strapped on a pair of skates--clumsy homemade things, and a birthday present from Johnny Whitelamb, who had fashioned them with pains, the Epworth blacksmith helping.
willow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
willows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
windmill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
wintry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The frozen canal ran straight towards the sunset, into a flooded country where only a line of pollard willows, with here and there an alder, marked the course of its left bank.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Indeed, the only living creature within sight was a red-breast, hunched into a ball and watching her from a wintry willow bough; the only moving object a windmill half a mile away across the level, turning its sails against the steel-gray sky--so listlessly, they seemed to be numbed.
