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 Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
bearingsplural nounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
directions used to locate a place, especially at sea
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
chapters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
divide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
dwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
Granger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
intend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
islands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
keeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
novel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
novels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
romantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
shipwreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
spun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
undertaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Every one has read tales of shipwreck and of lonely islands, and there is generally something romantic and even pleasant in them; but in real shipwreck there is nothing either romantic or pleasant; neither is a desert island a cheerful place to dwell upon.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I find that it keeps me more steadily to my course, so that, though I wander now and then from the matter in hand, I always get safely back to my bearings again.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say this because I wish you to understand why it is that I do not intend to give you a long account of the life that they led at this place.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
writers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN this story of Tom Granger I have undertaken to divide that which I am writing into chapters and parts, in the same manner that novel writers sometimes divide their novels and tales.
yarnnounUS /jɑrn/
an informal story or conversation
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you will go with me to the end, you will find that I have spun my yarn to the last word, though it may be in my own fashion.
