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 PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
adding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
away
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From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
battling
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From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
Blake's
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From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
blowing
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From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
bound
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From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
breeze
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From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
buffeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
camp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
Canada
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
cart
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From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
cheaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
died
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From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
dints
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From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
Harding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
Indian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
jaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
loaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
plodded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
pony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
poplar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
PRAIRIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
preserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
scrub
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
settlement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
stores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
stretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
sunburned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
sweep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
transport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
wheels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The settlement for which he and Harding were bound stands near the northern edge of the great sweep of grass which stretches across central Canada.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PRAIRIE A strong breeze swept the wide plain, blowing fine sand about and adding to Blake's discomfort as he plodded beside a jaded Indian pony and a small cart.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
a wild area where few people live
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was now late in the afternoon and the men were tired of battling with the wind which buffeted their sunburned faces with sharp sand.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
wiry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since leaving the railroad they had spent four days upon the trail, which sometimes ran plain before them, marked by dints of wheels among the wiry grass, and sometimes died away, leaving them at a loss in a wilderness of sand and short poplar scrub.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The cart was loaded with preserved provisions, camp stores, and winter clothes; he had bought it and the pony because that seemed cheaper than paying for transport.
