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 A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
aboard
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
all
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
anchor
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From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
ashore
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From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
attempted
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
back
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
Bay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
Benicia
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From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
big
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From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
boat
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From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
called
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
careless
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From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
climbed
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From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
continue
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From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
cruisenounUS /kruːz/
a journey by sea for a particular purpose
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
depended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
draggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
ducks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
equallynounUS /ˈequally/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
lubberly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
manœuvre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
miserable-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
Pablo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
painter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
rough-weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
seas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
Selby's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
sending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
smelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
staggered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
swamping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
telegram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
troubles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very miserable-looking man in draggled ducks, after nearly swamping the boat in the heavy seas, passed us the painter and climbed out.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He staggered about as though the wharf were rolling, and told us his troubles, which were the troubles of the yacht.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The only rough-weather sailor aboard, the man on whom they all depended, had been called back to San Francisco by a telegram, and they had attempted to continue the cruise alone.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The high wind and big seas of San Pablo Bay had been too much for them; all hands were sick, nobody knew anything or could do anything; and so they had run in to the smelter either to desert the yacht or to get somebody to bring it to Benicia.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the wharf at Selby’s we watched with careless interest the lubberly manœuvre performed of bringing the yacht to anchor, and the equally lubberly manœuvre of sending the small boat ashore.
