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 war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
Aurelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
Avis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
hatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
hopelessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
maneuvered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
outnumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
rocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
rockets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
slid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small rocket maneuvered over the lead ship--a hatch slid back--and the rocket settled slowly through the opening.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
Stan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
Thuscan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were supposed to be fighting men, Stan thought, but they didn't look the part.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The war rockets from Avis' home system of Aurelia stretched through space like a thin, red string.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later and Stan was in the main cabin, facing half a dozen tired looking men wearing the same dull blue uniform as the man on the screen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There were more than a hundred there, Stan thought, but he knew without asking that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the Thuscan ships.
