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 I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
ascended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
belongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
bowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
corridor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
custom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
forty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
Franchi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
intrusive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
SLOWLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
thirty-eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
welcomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are welcome to the mother," replied Madame de Franchi, "and you will almost immediately be welcomed by the son.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From this moment, sir, the house belongs to you; use it as if it were your own."
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I SLOWLY ascended the steps and entered the house, and at a corner of the corridor I found myself face to face with a tall lady dressed in black.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I understood at once that this lady of thirty-eight or forty years of age, and still beautiful, was the mistress of the house.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Madame," said I, bowing deeply, "I am afraid you will think me intrusive, but the custom of the country may be my excuse, and your servant's invitation my authority to enter."
