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 Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
bearing
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From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
betokened
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From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
blonde
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From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
blue-eyed
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From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
conversing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
dipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
earnestly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
erect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
feature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
fir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
fog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
forest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
homes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
manor-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
shadowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
soldier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
South
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
Southward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
stalwart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
swarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
sweeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
typical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was blonde and blue-eyed, not handsome, but with a strong and speaking countenance; a typical German in form and feature.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The grey mist of an autumn morning lay upon forest and field.
vapors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Through its shadowy vapors a swarm of birds were sweeping by, on their Southward way, now dipping low over the tops of the tall fir forest, as if giving a last greeting to their summer homes, and then rising high in the air; turning their flight due South, they disappeared slowly through the fog.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the window of a large manor-house, which lay at the edge of the forest, two men stood, watching the course of the birds and conversing earnestly with each other.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a tall, stalwart figure, whose firm and erect bearing betokened the soldier fully as much as the uniform he wore.
