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 ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
adore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
already
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
announced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
ardent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the mouth—is it chaste, is it ardent?
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
awkwardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
chaste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the mouth—is it chaste, is it ardent?
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
Dupont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
first
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And the mouth—is it chaste, is it ardent?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And the mouth—is it chaste, is it ardent?
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
looked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
model
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the mouth—is it chaste, is it ardent?
murmured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
neighbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
never
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
People
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
Quel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
reception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
riveted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
scar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People looked at Stephen curiously; her height, her clothes, the scar on her face, had immediately riveted their attention.
sculptor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
Seymour's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
Stephen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
type
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
Valérie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
Valérie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
went
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Valérie’s rooms were already crowded when Stephen and Mary arrived at her reception, so crowded that at first they could not see their hostess and must stand rather awkwardly near the door—they had not been announced; one never was for some reason, when one went to Valérie Seymour’s.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Quel type!’ murmured Dupont the sculptor to his neighbour, and promptly decided that he wished to model Stephen.
wonderful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘It’s a wonderful head; I adore the strong throat.
