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 IN A TRAP.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
assumption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
axle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
Bob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
cheerfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
crying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
delayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
examined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN A TRAP.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
jumped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
mend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
overtake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
ravine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
ridden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
TRAP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN A TRAP.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the valley or ravine through which they had just ridden there was no stream, and the only thing which could be done was to look for one further ahead, since they had passed the last house fully three miles behind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "It's no use crying about it," said Bob, with an assumption of cheerfulness he was far from feeling, "for here we are, and the sooner we mend matters the sooner we shall be riding on again."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It seemed so impossible to Bob that such a misfortune could overtake them just when success appeared certain, that he could not believe what Ralph had said was true until he had jumped out and examined the axle.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was no doubt then but that they would be delayed for a long time, for the axle was already so hot that it was smoking, and they had neither oil nor water with which to cool it.
