Developing a robust vocabulary is crucial for success in all spheres of life. It allows you to express your verbal or written thoughts more clearly and concisely and avoid confusion while enabling you to understand others’ ideas better. That gives you invaluable confidence while communicating in social settings and sets you up for academic and occupational success.
Developing an impressive vocabulary requires a consistent, dedicated approach. That in no way means that it has to be a dull, monotonous task. While traditional tools like reading and looking up new words in the dictionary remain relevant, we believe that you must incorporate online tools to expand your learning curve and achieve results faster.
Whether you are trying to bolster your vocabulary as a student, writer, or for personal growth, we have curated some super effective and engaging digital resources for you to expand your vocabulary in little to no time.
Wordnik.com
Claiming to be the world’s biggest online English dictionary with over 6 million searchable words, Wordnik is similar to a traditional dictionary but with a twist. Besides providing a word’s definition, synonyms, and multiple example sentences from various sources, it also offers audio pronunciations and images related to the word. These audio and visual aids can be particularly useful in helping you retain and recall new vocabulary easily when needed.
BBC’s Learning English
There are multiple sections and tools on this BBC’S Learning English site to help both learners and those with intermediate language skills boost their English. The vocabulary section has dozens of programs covering a key vocabulary point with comprehensive explanations, examples, and a plethora of activities that will help you strengthen your word game, all in 6 just 6 minutes. Some topics included in the 6-minute program include adjectives, binomials, homophones, lexical sets, and more.
Vocabulary.com
This invaluable web tool offers users a game-like approach to building their vocabulary skills in various contexts, keeping them motivated and engaged as they play this addictive game. You will encounter a variety of questions as you play, from being asked to choose the correct definition for an unfamiliar word to being presented with its meaning and asked to select the word to which it applies.
The game introduces new words as a player progresses to a new level, helping to keep it challenging but not overwhelming. All you have to do is create an account and jump right in to get started playing this fun, learning game.
Word Hippo
Another great alternative to textbook learning or those long, never-ending vocabulary sheets, Word Hippo offers helpful vocabulary resources. Besides giving the meaning for a word, it shows the synonyms, antonyms, example sentences, translation, pronunciation, and rhyming words.
While Word Hippo is best suited for English words, some resource sections feature other languages such as French and German as well. The website is user-friendly and has a clean and simple layout to make for an optimal user experience.
So whether you are relaxing on your couch, commuting to work, or out on a road trip, this advanced thesaurus will keep you learning while on the go.
Word Connect
Word connect is a free word search puzzle available on Google Play that trains your brain and allows you to learn new words, all while having a fun time. You will have a set of random letters that you will have to connect to form words and fill in the blank spaces. Each time you fill in all the blanks, you will progress to the next level. There are thousands of levels to play through.
Word Connect is a simple yet challenging game that tests your brain to its limits. You will be presented with unusual letter combinations, which will force you to picture the letters in different orders and arrange them to create a word. If you are left stumped at some point, then do not get frustrated and head over to unscramble.org to discover multiple words you could make with the particular pile of letters. Whether you are playing Word Connect or Scrabble, the word unscrambler is a handy tool you can use to find many words from an unusual set of letters.
PowerVocab
A highly entertaining and informative mobile app, PowerVocab is an excellent tool for anyone seeking to enhance their vocabulary substantially. You will match words against multiple-choice definitions, and the added aspects of competing against other people and playing against the timer make the game even more exciting. The words have detailed definitions and multiple example sentences, and audible pronunciation. If you love word games like Scrabble and Hangman, then you can not miss out on this one!
Words With Friends
This insanely popular and appealing word game is a great way to stay in touch with your distant friends while boosting your vocabulary. It is similar to Scrabble, where players take turns to build words crossword puzzle-style, and connecting words must be connected to previously played words. Words with Friends forces you to learn new, often uncommon words, and it is no surprise that the game has been around for almost a decade and is still going strong.
Visuwords
An online graphical dictionary, Visuwords uses Princeton University’s WordNet and fosters a visual way of learning. Users can research the meaning of a particular word and find its associations with other words and concepts. The site enhances learning by producing interactive diagrams showing how words associate in a visual interface. All you have to do is enter a word into the search box to look it up. The tool will then generate a web of associated words, and you can put your cursor over any of the words to view their definition. Visuwords is an excellent, easy to use tool easy-to-use tool to explore definitions and alternative word choices.
A robust vocabulary is essential to improve your overall communication skills. Expanding your knowledge and use of words and phrases enables you to convey your thoughts, ideas, or concerns more effectively in any given situation.
Whether you are a native speaker or an English Language Learner, using these digital tools alongside a regular reading habit can help you broaden your vocabulary skills and enhance your understanding of the language in a super fun and engaging way.
