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 On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “J. G. still alive.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
averse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Dry Lake was a message, brief but heartening:
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Chicago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
coulee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Dry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
G
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “J. G. still alive.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
heartening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Dry Lake was a message, brief but heartening:
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some hopes”.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
impending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
J
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “J. G. still alive.
Lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Dry Lake was a message, brief but heartening:
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
remind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
riding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “J. G. still alive.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
tragedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
U
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
Unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They had not discussed the impending tragedy very much, but they were an exceedingly Unhappy Family, nevertheless; and, since Flying U coulee was but a place of gloom, they were not averse to leaving it behind them for a few hours, and riding where every stick and stone did not remind then of the Old Man.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the third day after the Happy Family decided that there should be some word from Chicago; and, since that day was Sunday, they rode in a body to Dry Lake after it.
