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 I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
Blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
farm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
grandfather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
grandparents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
interminable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
Jake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
Jake's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
Marpole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
midland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
mountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
Nebraska
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
railway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
relatives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
Ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
sending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
travelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
Virginia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He had never been in a railway train until the morning when we set out together to try our fortunes in a new world.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
wider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I travelled in the care of a mountain boy, Jake Marpole, one of the ‘hands’ on my father’s old farm under the Blue Ridge, who was now going West to work for my grandfather.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jake’s experience of the world was not much wider than mine.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was ten years old then; I had lost both my father and mother within a year, and my Virginia relatives were sending me out to my grandparents, who lived in Nebraska.
Ántonia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I I first heard of Ántonia on what seemed to me an interminable journey across the great midland plain of North America.
