adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/
the lower side of anything
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
divedverbUS /daɪvd/
past form of “dive” — drop steeply
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
duckling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
flocknounUS /flɑːk/
a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
globenounUS /ɡloʊb/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
greatestadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtəst/
highest in quality
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
happinessnounUS /ˈhæpinəs/
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
necksnounUS /neks/
plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
OhnounUS /oʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
possibleadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːsəbəl/
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
sadlyadverbUS /ˈsædli/
in an unfortunate way
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
southwardsadverb
toward the south
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
stretchedadjectiveUS /stretʃt/
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
swansnounUS /swɑːnz/
plural of “swan” — stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Oh, if he only could have gone with them!
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
uglyadjectiveUS /ˈʌɡli/
displeasing to the senses
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading So he walked sadly down to a sheltered pool and dived to the very bottom, and tried to think it was the greatest happiness he could dream of.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But that was not possible, of course; and besides, what sort of companion could an ugly thing like him be to those beautiful beings?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
whirringnounUS /ˈwɜːrɪŋ/
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
wingsnounUS /wɪŋz/
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading The sun was setting one day, like a great scarlet globe, and the river, to the duckling's vast bewilderment, was getting hard and slippery, when he heard a sound of whirring wings, and high up in the air a flock of swans were flying.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading They were as white as snow which had fallen during the night, and their long necks with yellow bills were stretched southwards, for they were going--they did not quite know whither--but to a land where the sun shone all day.
