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 In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
alkali
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
arid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
barrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
cañons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
civilisation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
Colorado
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
comprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
Continent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
dash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
district
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
gloomy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
grim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
jagged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
lies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
lofty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
Nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
Nebraska
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
Nevada
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
plains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
portionnounUS /ˈpɔːrʃən/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
region
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
repulsive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
River
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
rivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
saline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
Sierra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
snow-capped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
swift-flowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Nor is Nature always in one mood throughout this grim district.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
valleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It comprises snow-capped and lofty mountains, and dark and gloomy valleys.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There are swift-flowing rivers which dash through jagged cañons; and there are enormous plains, which in winter are white with snow, and in summer are grey with the saline alkali dust.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the central portion of the great North American Continent there lies an arid and repulsive desert, which for many a long year served as a barrier against the advance of civilisation.
Yellowstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence.
