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 He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
blowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
bows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
CARROLL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARROLL SEEKS HELP.
confused
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From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
down
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From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
drumming
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From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
Filling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
furious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
halliards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
hatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
HELPnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CARROLL SEEKS HELP.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
locker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
mast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
provisions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
ripples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
SEEKS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARROLL SEEKS HELP.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
shivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
sloop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
splash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
given too much comfort or indulgence
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll slept for several hours before he awakened and sat up on the locker, shivering.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
uproar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
wail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no doubt that it was blowing hard; but the wind was off the land, and the sloop in shelter.
wind-tossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left the hatch slightly open, and a confused uproar reached him from outside--the wail of wind-tossed trees; the furious splash of ripples against the bows; and the drumming of the halliards upon the mast.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Filling his pipe, he set himself to think, and promptly decided that it would have been better had he gone down to the sloop in the beginning, before the provisions had been spoiled, instead of in the end.
