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 The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
April
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
basking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
brilliance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
busily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
crystal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
drenched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
floods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
flowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
foreigners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
heights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
July
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
lands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
letting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
lip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clear brilliance of the light had a quality of crystal.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
slopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
snows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
sparkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
sunshine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
thickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
tiptoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
vineyards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
visibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was towards the end of March, and spring was flowing down almost visibly from the heights behind the town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
woods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading April stood on tiptoe in the woods, finger on lip, ready to dance out between the sunshine and the rain.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above four thousand feet the snows of winter still clung thickly, but the lower slopes were clear, men and women already working busily among the dull brown vineyards.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The early mist cleared off by ten o'clock, letting through floods of sunshine that drenched the world, sparkled above the streets crowded with foreigners from many lands, and lay basking with an appearance of July upon the still, blue lake.
