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 Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
actress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
Brebant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
Brebant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
celebrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
cupboards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
delivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
dishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
footstools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
helpers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
managing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
mustered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
Nana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
napkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
outfit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
plates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
restaurant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
scorning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It struck her as being more the thing.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nana could not have mustered a dozen napkins out of all her cupboards, and not having had time to get a proper outfit after her new start in life and scorning to go to the restaurant, she had decided to make the restaurant come to her.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
waiters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Brebant was to supply everything, from the supper, the plates and dishes, the glass, the linen, the flowers, down to the seats and footstools.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She wanted to celebrate her great success as an actress with a supper which should set people talking.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
Zoé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since morning Zoé had delivered up the flat to a managing man who had come from Brebant’s with a staff of helpers and waiters.
