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 As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
all
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From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
ARRIVAL
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From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
blown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
carelessness
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From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
caught
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From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
deserves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
drowned
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From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
end
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From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
fault
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From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
ISLAND
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From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
life-preserver
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From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
life-preservers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
Madam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
meeting
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From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
placid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
prevented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
Private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
punishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
rack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
starting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
sternly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
violence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
