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 MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
alternatives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
Auberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
beaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
BetweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
councilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
feed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
forks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
historic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
Indians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
Laramie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
MANDY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
MARRIAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
McGOVERN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
Oregon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
Pacific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
Platte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
safer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
shallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
stretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
Trail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
travel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwɛstwərd/
toward the west
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.
