Boost your vocab, boost your grades

10 apps to boost your vocab

U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H E R N Q U E E N S L A N D

Have you ever used the wrong word in social situations, at work or at uni and just wanted to shrivel up in a little ball out of embarrassment?

Feel confident in the words you use by boosting your vocabulary with the help of these 10 free apps. Designed to

improve your ability to remember and use a larger number of words in a fun way, these apps will have you impressing those around you in no time, without having to rely on a thesaurus!

No matter how old you are, research shows there are many advantages of increasing the number of words you know,

including sharpening your communication skills, opening your mind and getting results. Want to be successful? The secret is

to communicate clearly by boosting that vocab.

How, you ask? Read on to find out!

iOS APP STORE

FREE

This fun game tests your ability to recall words you’ve already learned while under pressure!

• Create words out of single letters and complete missions within time limits to earn rewards

• Missions can include typing words starting or ending with a certain letter or words with a specific number of letters

• Get more points for harder words (letters on same colour bubbles)

Word Finder

01

iOS APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

02

This app is like your own personal Boggle, but takes less time and is way more intense!

• Create words out of the 4 letters provided before time’s up

• Number of possible word options shown

• Compete against your personal best

• Bonuses for high speed

• Count number of unique words created

• Shows percentage of words in dictionary used by you in game

• Compete with friends

4 Letters

iOS APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

03

This app tests your understanding of the meaning of various words, by challenging you to pair words that are somehow related. Pairings can include opposites, words that mean the same thing or compound words.

• Listen to music while you play and control what you listen to

• Play 440 puzzles for free

• Unlock additional packs from $4.99

WTW

Johnson O’Connor’s research has found that ‘a person’s vocabulary level is the best single

predictor of occupational success’.

Surely you don’t need more convincing than that?

iOS APP STORE

FREE

04

Type the answer to 4 1-word clues, which may be synonyms, antonyms, compound words or a related concept.

• Shuffle, reveal, solve and ask if you get stuck

• Unlock levels by guessing a certain percentage of words correctly or by spending ‘coins’

• Win coins by answering questions correctly

• Earn clues by answering questions correctly

• All wins celebrated, no matter how easy

4 words

iOS APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

05

Test your knowledge of word definitions and spelling by completing various puzzles. Select tiles with different numbers of letters on them to answer supplied clues. Even though you’re provided with the number of letters each solution should be, this is a difficult app and will definitely challenge your understanding of the English language!

• Limited number of puzzles for free

• Can purchase additional puzzle packs from $1.29

7 LITTLE Words

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

06

• Check knowledge by choosing a word’s meaning from multiple possible answers

• If you make mistakes, will show you straight away, and can check correct answers via the Review function

• Learn Words function: check definition or move on to one you don’t already know

• Unlock more words by completing ‘word challenges’

• Challenge Others function: Play 90-second game versus another online user and score points

INTELLIVocab

I bet your communication skills are getting sharper by the minute!

iOS APP STORE

FREE

07

Learn 1000 words, selected by Merriam-Webster editors as ‘worth knowing’ by playing a series of addictive quizzes.

• 4 different types of quizzes to test your knowledge and help you learn new words: Speed drill, Tunnel vision, Name that thing and hidden letters

• Bonus points for speed

• 10 levels

• Keep track of words you got right and tap for definitions

• Only 2 levels for free, upgrade to access all 1000 words costs $2.49

• Compete against yourself and others by seeing how your scores compare to others’ and trying to beat your personal best!

Quizzitive

iOS APP STORE

FREE

08

After asking you a series of questions about your language and purpose for using the app, Vocab Junkie will tailor intelligent flashcard decks to challenge you and meet your learning needs.

• Learn tough English vocab words in chunks of 10 at a time

• Test your understanding of words by providing definitions

• If you don’t know the meaning of a word you can easily see the answer

• You can rate how well you know a word from 1–5

• Words you’re unfamiliar with are repeated at an interval of time optimised for your brain’s maximum retention

• Unlock levels to become a vocab builder master

Vocab Junkie

Who needs a thesaurus when you have these bad

boys under your belt!

iOS APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

09

Test and improve your knowledge of English vocab by matching words with the correct meaning or by matching a meaning with the correct word. With 4 options to choose from (we love multiple choice tests!) and the ability to check your answers, you’ll find you’re motivated to do well.

English Vocabulary Test your

iOS APP STORE

GOOGLE PLAY

FREE

10

If you learn best by looking at pictures, this is the app that will help you learn new words fast.

• Guess word by looking at 4 different pictures

• No time limit

• Earn coins by guessing words correctly

• Can see how many letters answers should be

• Get clues and remove unwanted letters (but this will cost you some of your earned coins!)

• Ask friends for help via the message function, or by sharing via Facebook, email or another social media channel

4 pics 1 word

By using these apps, you will not only boost your vocabulary, but your communication skills and confidence as well. Increasing the number of words you know will improve your chances of getting

results and impressing those around you. Success!

Who needs a clunky, printed thesaurus when you can be your own!

For more ways apps can help your study and career, check out the Study and Technology category on USQ Social Hub.

RESEARCHhttp://www.colourmylearning.com/2014/02/top-5-best-free-apps-to-learn-a-language/

http://www.bridgeenglish.com/3-iphone-apps-to-improve-your-english-vocabulary/ https://litemind.com/top-3-reasons-to-improve-your-vocabulary/

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 5.1.J 05.2015

social.usq.edu.au