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 She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
abate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
apt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
BecauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
beseech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
bewilderednounUS /bewildered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
ceaseless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
cheese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
drone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
Drowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
dulcet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
echoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
flowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
footfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It mounted to its highest pitch.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It mounted to its highest pitch.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It mounted to its highest pitch.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
Lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
moaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It mounted to its highest pitch.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
Picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
pitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It mounted to its highest pitch.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
sullen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
teach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
Tuned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
urged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She urged “No cheese is made of chalk”: And ceaseless flowed her dreary talk, Tuned to the footfall of a walk.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He a bewildered answer gave, Drowned in the sullen moaning wave, Lost in the echoes of the cave.
wave-worn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her voice was very full and rich, And, when at length she asked him “Which?”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading [Picture: They walked beside the wave-worn beach] They walked beside the wave-worn beach; Her tongue was very apt to teach, And now and then he did beseech She would abate her dulcet tone, Because the talk was all her own, And he was dull as any drone.
