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 Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
angles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
Big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
Brass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
ebbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
embroidery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
evenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
Graham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
harsh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
lunch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
pair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
Paula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
piano
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
realists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
regarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
sentimental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
Tacks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paula made a practice of calling them the pair of "Brass Tacks."
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once again the tide of guests ebbed from the Big House, and more than one lunch and dinner found only the two men and Paula at the table.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both men had much in common, had lived life in somewhat similar ways, and regarded life from the same angles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their philosophy was harsh rather than sentimental, and both were realists.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.
yarned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On such evenings, while Graham and Dick yarned for their hour before bed, Paula no longer played soft things to herself at the piano, but sat with them doing fine embroidery and listening to the talk.