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 _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
Artevelde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
claimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
clay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
deadline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
Den
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
disprove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
Dutch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
Dutchman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
engine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
fuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
gale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
genealogy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
grates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
groundcar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
Hoorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
howling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
Jan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
life-and-death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
maneuver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
Orange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
properly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
prove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
roach-flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
smoked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
stubborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
stubbornest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
stubbornness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
terrain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
tumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
UnlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
Venus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan needed all his Dutch stubbornness, and a good deal of pure physical strength besides, to maneuver the roach-flat groundcar across the tumbled terrain of Den Hoorn into the teeth of the howling gale that swept from the west.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Jan Willem van Artevelde smoked a clay pipe, which only a Dutchman can do properly, because the clay bit grates on less stubborn teeth.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He had no genealogy to prove it, but on Venus there was no one who could disprove it, either.
Willem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unless you are a stubborn Dutchman--and Jan Van Artevelde was the stubbornest Dutchman on Venus._ Jan Willem van Artevelde claimed descent from William of Orange.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _When you have an engine with no fuel, and fuel without an engine, and a life-and-death deadline to meet, you have a problem indeed.
