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 Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
Bluffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
Boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
cargo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
customary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/
released from a duty or job
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
EDGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
grasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
herds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
Independence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
Iowa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
Jo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
Leavenworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
Missouri
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
mules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
newer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
oxen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
Platte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
population
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
prairies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
quadrupled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
Rumors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
tinge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
viaprepositionUS /ˈvaɪə/
by way of; passing through
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
wagons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
waning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The waning town of Independence had quadrupled its population in thirty days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Men of upper Missouri and lower Iowa had driven in herds of oxen, horses, mules; but there were not enough of these.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boats discharged their customary western cargo at the newer landing on the river, not far above that town; but it all was not enough.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
WORLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EDGE OF THE WORLD More than two thousand men, women and children waited on the Missouri for the green fully to tinge the grasses of the prairies farther west.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rumors came that a hundred wagons would take the Platte this year via the Council Bluffs, higher up the Missouri; others would join on from St. Jo and Leavenworth.
