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 He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
bridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
Burlington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
Chicago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
continue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
eastward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
eighteen
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From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
eighty-six
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From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
immensely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
inches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
Iowa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
Landing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
lifeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
McVey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
Mudcat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
secured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
September
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
State
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
trunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
ungainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He secured a pass from the railroad company that had employed him, and rode north along the river in the night train until he came to a large town named Burlington in the State of Iowa.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There a bridge went over the river, and the railroad tracks joined those of a trunk line and ran eastward toward Chicago; but Hugh did not continue his journey on that night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole upper part of his body was immensely strong but his long legs were ungainly and lifeless.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh McVey left the town of Mudcat Landing in early September of the year eighteen eighty-six.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was then twenty years old and was six feet and four inches tall.
