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 Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
a-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don't we know there ain't nothing to do?
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
Billy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
bless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
canoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
convey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
destroyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Don't we know there ain't nothing to do?
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don't we know there ain't nothing to do?
em
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
gap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
gloomy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Don't we know there ain't nothing to do?
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Don't we know there ain't nothing to do?
notion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
overpowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
risk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
whip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I told him that coming across the gap was out of the question, because we had destroyed their bridge, and I did not wish to wait while another was a-making.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My purpose was to convey the men from the island to the rock in our canoe, not all together, but one by one, so that there would be no risk of their overpowering us.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And if there was anything, they wouldn't do it, bless you, not unless you stood over 'em with a whip."
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Billy was pleased to say that this was a pretty good notion, but he fell gloomy again in an instant, and when I asked him what other objection he had to make, he said, "You said as how the men would have to work for their keep, but how can they work on this old rock?
