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 To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
all
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
apart
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
appalling
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
back
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
begin
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
calamities
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
chilled
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
Clélie
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
conciliate
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
condition
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
congratulate
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
copies
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
copyist
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
desolate
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
discouraged
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
east
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
England
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
English
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
eyes
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
Frenchman
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
grades
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
imbeciles
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
indeed
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
influenza
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
instead
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From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
instructed
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
knowing
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
languages
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
live
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From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
London
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From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
Looking
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
necessarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
now
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From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
own
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
Paris
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From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
past
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
pictures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
poorer
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From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
prices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑspərəs/
successful and without serious problems
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
say
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From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
selling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
spent
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
strove
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
teach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
teacher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were indeed calamities: to be poor, to teach, to live apart, not even knowing each other--and in England!
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
tortured
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From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
true
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From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
vainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In our own eyes, it is true, we are not so poor--my Clélie and I. Looking back upon our past we congratulate ourselves upon our prosperous condition.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading There was a time when we were poorer than we are now, and were not together, and were, moreover, in London instead of in Paris.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
winds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To begin, I am a Frenchman, a teacher of languages, and a poor man,--necessarily a poor man, as the great world would say, or I should not be a teacher of languages, and my wife a copyist of great pictures, selling her copies at small prices.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In England we spent years; we instructed imbeciles of all grades; we were chilled by east winds, and tortured by influenza; we vainly strove to conciliate the appalling English; we were discouraged and desolate.
