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 Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
abeyance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
afforded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
ate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
broiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
Coleman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
Coleman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
Doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
Evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
hunger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
mahogany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not ordered the meal, nor had he felt the need of it.
oysters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
repast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
sending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
shy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
stimulus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
surroundings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old woman retired as soon as she had arranged the repast on a round mahogany table.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless the stimulus afforded by the unusual character of his surroundings held his sense of hunger in abeyance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Coleman found the oysters, the wine, the broiled fish, the French bread, and the black coffee excellent to such a degree that he ate almost everything before him; then leaning far back in his chair he began to study the silver set from which all those good things had been taken.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evening was drawing on, sending a soft twilight into the room, when Coleman's dinner was brought in by a shy and silent old colored woman.
