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 VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
acquainted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
backwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
balustrade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
burnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
cafés
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
chattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
cigarette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
climate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
dreamnounUS /driːm/
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
evenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
foretaste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
forwardsnounUS /ˈforwards/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
glistening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
idly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
laughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
Marina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
open-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
paradise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
peaceful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
ROME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
semi-somnolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
slumber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
tasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My cigarette even had burnt out between my lips, and the coffee which stood by my side I had not tasted.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
VISITORS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were many people passing backwards and forwards, but my thoughts were far away, and I took notice of none of them.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading With my head resting upon my arm, and my arm upon the low balustrade, I had fallen into a semi-somnolent slumber of thought, and the faces of the people who lounged by chattering and laughing I saw only as figures in a dream.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading VISITORS FROM ROME It was one of those evenings which, to any one acquainted only with our English climate, seem like a foretaste of paradise.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat before a tiny marble table at one of the open-air _cafés_ at the head of the Marina, listening idly to the music of the band only a few yards off, and gazing over the peaceful, glistening sea which stretched away in front.
