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 middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
amusements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
catch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
chores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
content
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
dace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
despised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
dove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
dreaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
evenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
everlasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
favorite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
fish-pole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
Fishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
horned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
inhabit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
legendary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
Making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
monstrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
observe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
pier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
pool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
shiners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
snared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
sucker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always did catch horned dace and shiners, which he despised, and sometimes he snared a monstrous sucker a foot and a half long.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
swimming-rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
trout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
weighednounUS /ˈweighed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He always expected to catch the legendary trout which weighed two pounds and was believed to inhabit that pool.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Fishing and dreaming, I think, were the best amusements John had.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The middle pier of the long covered bridge over the river stood upon a great rock, and this rock (which was known as the swimming-rock, whence the boys on summer evenings dove into the deep pool by its side) was a favorite spot with John when he could get an hour or two from the everlasting “chores.”
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making his way out to it over the rocks at low water with his fish-pole, there he was content to sit and observe the world; and there he saw a great deal of life.
