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 Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
aboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
ASconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
bags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
documents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
grasped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
Lermontoff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
motioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
oars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
piled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
Prince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
rings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
rudder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
sailing-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
shipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
shoved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
signed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
Six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
steersman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
Tying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AS the sailing-boat cast off, and was shoved away from the side of the steamer, there were eight men aboard.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What is this place called?” asked the Prince, but the young steersman did not reply.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Tying the boat to iron rings at the small landing where the steps began, three of the men shipped their oars.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading All the forward part of the boat, and, indeed, the space well back toward the stern, was piled with boxes and bags.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six grasped the oars, and the young clerk who had signed for the documents given to him by the Captain took the rudder, motioning Lermontoff to a seat beside him.
