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 Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
AroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
choked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
dazzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
discerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
garish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
immensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
innumerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
rivetted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
Straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER THE VAMPIRE'S WING.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Straight before us, at some little distance, there rose a great black rock to a height of, as far as I could judge, a thousand feet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
torches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER THE VAMPIRE'S WING.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
VAMPIRE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE VAMPIRE'S WING.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
weird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon one object, weird and horrible, our startled gaze became rivetted.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
WHENconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading WHEN our dazzled gaze grew accustomed to the garish blaze of lights we found ourselves standing in an enormous cavern.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Around us were glowing fires and shining torches innumerable; the smoke from them half choked us, while above there seemed an immensity of darkness, for the roof of the natural chamber was so high that it could not be discerned.
WING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE VAMPIRE'S WING.
