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 The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
avert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
awe
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From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
CONFLAGRATION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CONFLAGRATION.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
destruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
detail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
flash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
funereal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
grandeur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
too intense to describe too intense or unusual to describe clearly
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
lightning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
low
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From this reading "We can do nothing," replied George, in a low tone.
lurid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "We can do nothing," replied George, in a low tone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
pall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "We can do nothing," replied George, in a low tone.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
surmounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CONFLAGRATION.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
tone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We can do nothing," replied George, in a low tone.
towered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The grandeur of the scene upon which George and Ralph looked was indescribable, the slightest detail of which once seen could never be forgotten.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The lurid flames, surmounted by the thick, black smoke, towered upward as if to meet the lightning's flash, and then, as the wind and rain beat it down for a moment, the heavy clouds of smoke rolled down the valley like some funereal pall sent in advance of the death and destruction that was to come.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "What can we do?" cried Ralph, when the awe which the scene had brought with it gave place to fear for others, and a desire to avert suffering and destruction.
