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 THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
able
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From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
adult
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From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
beetle
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From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
begins
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From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
bottoms
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From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
cases
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From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
damp
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From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
darkest
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From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
deserves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
economic
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From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
FIREFLY
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From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
flashes
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From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
form
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From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
glow-worm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
ground
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From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
grub
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From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
grub-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
grubs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
insect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
insects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
June
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
largely
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From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
larval
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From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
latter
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From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
luminous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
produce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
producing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
rubbish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
specked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
weeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The firefly is a beetle, and begins to make its appearance the latter part of June when the darkest nights may be one solid glow of fire.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The larval or grub stage is passed on the ground beneath grass, weeds and rubbish where they often prey upon other insects.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE FIREFLY This insect is of little economic importance to us at present but its peculiar habit of producing light makes it a very striking form and one which deserves study.
wingless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In some cases the grubs may be able to produce light though as a rule the luminous grub-like creature or glow-worm is a wingless adult firefly.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They live largely in damp places and bottoms at night are specked with their tiny flashes of light.
