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 chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
adapted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
ale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
arid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
biscuit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
bottled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/
a person who is in charge
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
dried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
drought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
earnest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
endure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
famine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
icy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Indies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
latitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
mate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Nantucket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
native
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Pequod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
Quaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
spoil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
Starbuck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
summers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
superfluousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
Transported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
twice-baked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.