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 AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
able
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From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
advise
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From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
aid
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From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
bound
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From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
breeze
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From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
captain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
case
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From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
chanced
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From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
cordelling
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From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
CURRENT
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From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
earn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
fair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
funds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
headwind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
labors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
lacks
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From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
later
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From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
make
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
never
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
passage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
pocketful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
poling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
preferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
proceeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
relieve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
resort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
sails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
strength
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
sure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
trip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
undertaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
up-river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
wagesplural nounUS /ˈweɪdʒɪz/
money or a reward earned for work
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
wind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
windings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
