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 One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
Almighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
artillery
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From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
blackness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
Buffalo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
foretold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
heavens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
intense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
July
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
lightning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
magnificent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
Maxwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
outskirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
quivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
railroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
route
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
storm-wreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
sultry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
sweeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
threateningly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
travelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
