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 It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
barren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
bleak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
brightness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
cypresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
dense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
hemmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
nestling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
perpendicularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
rarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
raved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
Red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
singularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
solitary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
sombre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bleak house at all times, but to-day it showed itself singularly dull.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It stood on the top of a high hill--bleak, solitary.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was, indeed, hemmed in from brightness of any kind, by a dense row of cypresses that grew before the hall-door, and by a barren rock that rose perpendicularly at the back.
winds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In winter all the winds of heaven raved round it; in summer the happy sunshine rarely touched it.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On clear days one could get from this cold house a grand view of the valley below, nestling in its warmth, and from the road that ran under it people would sometimes look up and wonder at the curious colour of the Red House--such a dark red, sombre, like blood.