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 Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
BAD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD TIMES.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
Bermuda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
bitterness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
boon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
Coomber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
dwellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
fisher-folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
fisherman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
fowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
frequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
gather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
hailednounUS /hailed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
marshes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
penned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
quarrels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
reign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
salt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
samphire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
sands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
shootingnounUS /ˈshooting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine, calm autumn was hailed as a special boon from heaven by the fisher-folk all round the coast, and more especially by the lonely dwellers at the Point.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
TIMES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BAD TIMES.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But when the weather was wild and wet, and the salt marshes lay under water, that meant little food and much discomfort, frequent quarrels, and much bitterness to the fisherman's family.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A fine autumn enabled Coomber to go out in his boat until the time for shooting wild fowl began, and the children could play on the sands, or gather samphire, instead of being penned up in the house half the time.
Winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Winter around Bermuda Point was at all times a dreary season, and the only thing its few inhabitants could hope for was that its reign might be as short as possible.