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 This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
archway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
bell-pull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
Boldwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
Buck's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
Casterbridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
echoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
enabling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
gaol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
halted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
Head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
Hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
lamp-flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
pace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
paving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
rows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
shop-shutters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
strips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
studded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
traveller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boldwood passed into the high road and turned in the direction of Casterbridge.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he walked at an even, steady pace over Buck’s Head, along the dead level beyond, mounted Casterbridge Hill, and between eleven and twelve o’clock descended into the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He turned to the left, and halted before an archway of old brown brick, which was closed by an iron studded pair of doors.
waving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters, and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed as he passed along.
wretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the entrance to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light enabling the wretched traveller to find a bell-pull.
