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 “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
attendance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
Auguste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
brass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
candelabra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
chimney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
die
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
fail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
marquetry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
millionnaire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
receiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
tapestried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Auguste, my dear,” said his mother, “tell Jean to serve tea in an hour.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
trimmings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Auguste, sitting on a tapestried chair at a marquetry table with brass trimmings, was reading a book by the light of the candelabra on the chimney piece.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If they were to fail me I should die.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Monsieur has promised to pass the evening here,” said the old man, with the air of a millionnaire receiving a guest.
Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Would you believe it monsieur,” she added, “that for six years I have been waited upon wholly by my father and son, and now, I really think, I could bear no other attendance.
