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 A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
apple-trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
articles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
Awaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
Castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
dreaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
drowning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
newspaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
otter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
pillow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
robs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
seek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
sleeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
vainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading 'A dream robs a man of all courage,' and then falling back on his pillow, he said, 'Whatever my dreams may be I shall go.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Awaking with a cry, he sat up, afraid to seek sleep again lest he might dream of drowning men.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A wind was shaking the apple-trees, and he went back to bed, thinking that if it did not drop suddenly he would not be able to swim across the lake that evening.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hours passed between sleeping and waking, thinking of the newspaper articles he would write when he got to America, and dreaming of a fight between himself and an otter on the shore of Castle Island.
XIV
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XIV There was little sleep in him that night, and turning on his pillow, he sought sleep vainly, getting up at last when the dawn looked through the curtains.
