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 PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
becomes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
bitterness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
cared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
comparison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
delight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
distasteful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
falsehoods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
forgetting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
Hélène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
Hélène's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
imagined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
musing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
newly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
peaceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
pleasures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
PORTRAITS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
publicity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
recall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
refusal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
regret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
sensations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
Serval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
transported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I soon became transported with delight at finding myself so completely my own master, and in musing on the employment of my newly found liberty.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
vanity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From that time I was convinced that the pretended "pleasures of memory" are all falsehoods, for from the moment we begin to regret the past, memory is only a bitterness, and, by comparison, the present becomes distasteful.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
wounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The publicity of Hélène's refusal had deeply wounded both my love and my vanity.
wrongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was too proud to admit that I was unhappy, and so I succeeded in forgetting my imagined wrongs.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PORTRAITS A year after my arrival in Paris, the peaceful days that I had passed with Hélène at Serval seemed like a beautiful dream, so much in contrast with my new sensations that I hardly cared to recall it.
