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 CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
behold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
CIRO'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
countess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
croûte-au-pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
delicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
fertile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
garniture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
Grève
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
Jean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
La
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
langouste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
marennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
marmite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
oblige
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
petite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
remembering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
reserve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
resolve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
Selden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
shipment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
sole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
soup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
suggestion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For soup, petite marmite, perhaps; no, that would be too heavy; croûte-au-pot would be better; good.
trout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
vitesse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
waiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For fish, a sole, perhaps, or a trout prepared in a special way; no--one moment; Jean, bring hither that basket of langouste; behold, monsieur, how fresh, how sweet, and not too large; this one; good; for garniture, trust me, monsieur.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT CIRO’S It was to Ciro’s that Selden had promised to take the countess that evening, and remembering his resolve to give her the best the place had to offer, he drove there, before going to his room, to reserve a corner table and have a word with the head waiter.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading He found that worthy, of course, most anxious to oblige, and fertile in suggestion.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had just arrived a shipment of marennes, vitesse, from La Grève; they would be delicious; yes? good, monsieur.
