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 last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
active
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
afloat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A restful lull was upon all.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
ambitions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
annual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
boyhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
cadets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
cares
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
classes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
congratulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
cruisenounUS /kruːz/
a journey by sea for a particular purpose
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
freedom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
full-fledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
graduates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
homes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
joys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
kindred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
light-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
lull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A restful lull was upon all.
manhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
Naval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
preparation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
remainder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
report
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
restful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A restful lull was upon all.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
School
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
stormy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
striving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At last the active days of preparation had passed, the stormy scenes of hope and despair for the graduates and those striving to stand at the head of their classes had gone, and a calm had fallen upon the Naval School.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A restful lull was upon all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The first class and the third were busy preparing for the annual cruise, the remainder of the cadets were to stay behind and while the time away as best they could between duty and the freedom allowed them.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The graduates, those who had become full-fledged officers, had gone off on their short leave to their homes, to receive the congratulations of kindred and friends, to enjoy a rest before returning to report for stern duty afloat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had stepped from light-hearted boyhood with all its joys, across the threshold of manhood with all its cares and ambitions.
