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 He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
candle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
circled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
crockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
cropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
cup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
Daddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
dripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
Eróshka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
flickered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
fluttered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
glasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
lighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
lodger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
lodging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
Maryánka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
Moths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
Olénin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
porch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
samovar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
shedding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
tea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the air was still, the candle dripped and flickered: now lighting up the post of the porch, now the table and crockery, now the cropped white head of the old man.
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had had a table, a samovar, wine, and a candle brought out, and over a cup of tea and a cigar he listened to the tales the old man told seated on the threshold at his feet.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moths circled round the flame and, shedding the dust of their wings, fluttered on the table and in the glasses, flew into the candle flame, and disappeared in the black space beyond.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had spent that evening with Daddy Eróshka in the porch of his new lodging.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that Olénin had been walking about the yard when Maryánka entered the gate, and had heard her say, “That devil, our lodger, is walking about.”
