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 cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
Avast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Avast!”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
Elijah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Elijah.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
guess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
imperfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
insinuating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
misty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
nigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
Queequeg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
stooping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
sunrise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
uncertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
