Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a bitter winter.
Afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
approach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
Bayard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
bereft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter winter.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
classified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
desolated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
dreariest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
drowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
fishermen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
gales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
homes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a bitter winter.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
mysteries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
oftener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
poverty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
properly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
recognize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
scores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
staggered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
sullenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
tragic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a bitter winter.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Afterwards a cry went up out of scores of desolated homes which told what the man had been and done in Windover, when the gales went down.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
Windover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred Windover fishermen were drowned; and poverty of the dreariest kind sat sullenly in the tragic town.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter winter.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bayard worked till he staggered for the women and children whom the sea bereft.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading One night, a short time before Helen was to sail, there happened to Bayard one of those little mysteries which approach us so much oftener than we recognize them, that we have never properly classified them; and may be long yet in doing so.
