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 could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
area
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
bricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
cement
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From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
child's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
climbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
come
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
fitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
ghosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
great
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
help
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
least
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
marvelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
masters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
mortar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
nicely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
science
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
slower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
take
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it was not this alone that caused my footsteps to become slower and slower as I approached the ruin.
transported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was near upon the time of sunset when I slowly climbed the hill.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite myself, I could not help remembering much that the wild man had said to me of ghosts and evil spirits.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
wondered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wondered how they had come there, by what means they had been transported and lifted into position; and I marvelled that an ancient people should have been masters of such science.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not take my eyes from the great stones before me, many of which must have been at least ten square yards in surface area, and cut so straight and square that, without cement or mortar, they fitted one against the other as nicely as a child’s wooden bricks.
