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 The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
advanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
beam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
betray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
Bob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
Broken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
brother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
cigarette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
clang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
couple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
crouched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
Dashwood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
dead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
deceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
Dennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
dully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
echoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
erect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
first
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
found
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
half-smoked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
Ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
Last
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
listen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
outer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
pitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
Rung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
sideways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
standing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
still
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
strides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
thought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
torch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob Dashwood's hand gave his brother's shoulder a warning grip, and the pair listened, scarcely breathing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
whereabouts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In both their minds was the one thought: Had their enemy gained the outer room before the door closed, or was he still there, waiting for the first sound that should betray their whereabouts?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Last Rung of a Broken Ladder For a couple of strides he advanced towards them, deceived for an instant by the jacket of the dead German which Dennis was wearing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Dennis, who had been standing erect when the torch beam found him, now crouched low; but Bob stood motionless, his head turned sideways to listen, the half-smoked cigarette still in his mouth.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he sprang back with a startled cry, his light vanished, and the clang of the heavy door echoed dully in the pitch darkness.
