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 At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
basement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
battered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
brick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
brown-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
Cafe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
cobbler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
dazzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
departed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
Dirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
fashionable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
fat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
Fifty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
four-storied-and-basement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
Houston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
Jourdain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
Monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
restaurant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
screening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
squalid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the basement was a squalid cobbler's shop, and the restaurant occupied the first floor.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
trimmings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
typical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
vestige
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
waistcoat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
Washington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was Monsieur Jourdain himself who brought it: a little, fat man, with trousers very tight, and a waistcoat very dazzling.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dirty lace curtains hung at the windows, screening the interior from the street; but when I mounted the step to the door and entered, I found the place typical of its class.
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I sat down at one of the little square tables, and ordered a bottle of wine.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the Cafe Jourdain Fifty-four West Houston Street, just three blocks south of Washington Square, was a narrow, four-storied-and-basement building, of gray brick with battered brown-stone trimmings--at one time, perhaps, a fashionable residence, but with its last vestige of glory long since departed.