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 walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
attraction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
chiefly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
collection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
drawings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
effectiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
elegant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
etchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
expensive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
expensively-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
floors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
Galleries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
GETTING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
hide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
hundreds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
included
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
indifference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
loan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
mask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
oil-paintings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
painters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
pictures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
portraits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
proportion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
Reynolds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
scores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
select
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
sincerity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
sitters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The portraits for the most part had every quality save that of sincerity.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
unconvincing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
vogue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very large proportion of the pictures were portraits of women done by a select group of very expensive painters in the highest vogue.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
WAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
water-colour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls were covered with a loan collection of oil-paintings, water-colour drawings, and etchings--English and French, but chiefly English.
well-dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These portraits were the main attraction of the elegant crowd, which included many of the sitters; as for the latter, they failed to hide under an unconvincing mask of indifference their curiosity as to their own effectiveness in a frame.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GETTING ON WITH THE WAR The floors of the Reynolds Galleries were covered with some hundreds of very well-dressed and very expensively-dressed women and some scores of men.