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 From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
ashy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
burying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
cessation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
daylight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
ejaculated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
engulfing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was falling.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
gleams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
heated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
hollows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
Hélène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
ink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was falling.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
overcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
Passy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
raining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
retreating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
roofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
streaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
stretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was falling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
upwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
wafted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was falling.
wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Below Passy but a few stretches of roofs remained visible; and as the wave rolled on, darkness soon covered all.
wavering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The hollows were already hidden deep in gloom, and a line of cloud, like a stream of ink, rose upon the horizon, engulfing the last streaks of daylight, the wavering gleams which were retreating towards the west.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What a warm evening!” ejaculated Hélène, as she sat at the window, overcome by the heated breeze which was wafted upwards from Paris.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading From the grey heaven, where the first of the stars were gleaming, a fine ashy dust seemed to be raining down on the great city, raining down without cessation and slowly burying it.