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 Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
Acetosa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
Acqua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
background
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
bright-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
coloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
concertina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
dancers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
declining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
della
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
husky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
lanes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
light-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
luminous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
Making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
mixing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
osteria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
Porta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
re-passed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
Regina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
Salaria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
strains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
tavern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
Viale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making a short cut to the Viale della Regina, they crossed certain narrow lanes beyond Porta Salaria, and Regina suddenly stopped before an _osteria_ (tavern).
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A bright interior was visible through an open doorway.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One evening, however, they were walking alone together towards Acqua Acetosa.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the room was a glass window coloured by the declining sun, and against this luminous background passed and re-passed, light-footed and black, a couple of dancers, dancing to the strains of a husky concertina.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A girl, pale and thin, but bright-eyed, was seated by the door, her arm on the corner of a table, her fair hair mixing in with the shining background.
