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 They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
anchor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
Chimneys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
concealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
contenting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
Cyrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
examining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
Harding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
intention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
intentions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
manufactory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
Mercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
piratesnounUS /ˈpirates/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
prudent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
purposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island.
