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 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
advancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
baby
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From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
back
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From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
background
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From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
dancers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
dappled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
darkening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
dispersingverbUS /dɪˈspɜːrsɪŋ/
spreading out or clearing away spreading out or clearing away from the air
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
ducks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
flash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
groups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
interruptednounUS /ˈinterrupted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
lasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
lightning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
reeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
shrouded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
swallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
terrifying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A most extraordinary storm lasting for no more than an hour, if that, and then dispersing into a fine evening.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
thundernounUS /ˈthunder/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was driven back by a flash of lightning, and the thunder was terrifying.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a pleasure to see the change--the lake shrouded in mist, with ducks talking softly in the reeds, and swallows high up, advancing in groups like dancers on a background of dappled clouds.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I was interrupted while writing this letter by a sudden darkening of the light, and when I went to the window the sky seemed to have sunk close to the earth, and there was a dreadful silence underneath it.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'I have come back to my letter to ask if you would like me to go to see your baby?
