# Puku: Learn New Words > Vocabulary learning app with a virtual pet and adaptive technology for kids. (iPhone/iPad app by Merriam-Webster, Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puku-learn-new-words/id1460784777 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Merriam-Webster, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/399452290) - Category: Education, Games - Price: Free - Rating: 3.55/5 from 66 App Store ratings · 26 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 60 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2019-08-19 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puku-learn-new-words/id1460784777/reviews.md ## What is Puku? Other pets just eat your homework. This one helps you ace it! Puku is a fun and rewarding way for you to learn vocabulary. Play ongoing leveled lists, words related to a category of interest like Food or Mythology, or create your own list from classwork assignments—quickly and easily with pre-populated definitions from Merriam-Webster! The app features Puku, a virtual pet that grows as you master new words, and evolves each time you cross a milestone in an engaging display that celebrates your progress. Every player has a personalized experience guided by adaptive learning technology. The app responds directly to kids’ performance ensuring that learning is efficient and motivating: players spend their time on new and challenging vocabulary and get immediate corrective feedback when necessary to help them get back on track. From Merriam-Webster, America’s most-trusted dictionary, Puku is the best vocabulary-building app for kids ages 8 and up. Learn thousands of words, such as curious, fatigue, boisterous, and indelible—and feel good about your screen time! With Puku you can: • Develop your personal vocabulary path, and have fun doing it! • Improve every day with ongoing, leveled lists • Play custom collections—from Food and Holidays to Books and Mythology—and learn words associated with areas of interest or study • Create your own lists, quickly populated with Merriam-Webster definitions, either to help with words you are learning in class or to master words that will awe and stump your friends • Share custom word lists with friends and classmates • Access trusted, age-appropriate definitions from Merriam-Webster Puku for teachers: Quickly create and share word lists with your students, automatically populated with trusted, authoritative Merriam-Webster definitions. Your students can play any list you create, for free. We appreciate all feedback! Please send comments to contactPuku@m-w.com, and if you love the app, please leave a review! ## Key features - Virtual pet that grows with word mastery - Adaptive learning technology - Leveled and custom word lists - Merriam-Webster definitions - Create and share custom lists - Progress tracking and milestones ## Recent user reviews (10 of 26) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/puku-learn-new-words/id1460784777/reviews.md ### 5/5 — It’s pretty cool *2022-07-16, version 1.12* I love the idea but I don’t like that I can’t customize the word list. And if there is a way, idk how to access it. ### 1/5 — Paid Subscription automatically resets to free version *2021-11-16, version 1.12* I was in love with the Aap until few days back. My son has been using Puku for over an year and had completed 900 words. Few days back my puku account automatically got reset to free version and all the categories got locked although I have subscrition till Dec 28 2021. All my attempt went in vain and I had to delete the Aap to reover my paid version. My son was very upset his work was lost and puku got short. I cheered him up saying he can rebuild puku while he revised the words. But again the Aap got reset to free version. I have emailed Puku team and has not heard back from hem yet. I am really looking forward for a solution and in the best case scenario recover my son's lost puku work to love the App again and I can update my review. ### 4/5 — Great but ………. *2021-07-13, version 1.12* My son really likes this app however he’s commented that Puku is kind of weird and gross looking. I mean…. there really wasn’t a better mascot idea?????? ### 4/5 — Almost perfect! *2021-03-31, version 1.12* The app itself is great, and I would totally recommend it. Although, it would be great if the vocabulary words could be read aloud to convey proper pronunciation and dictation. Additionally, there should be a feature where you can review your words from previous lists in one lesson. Thanks for reading my suggestions! ### 1/5 — Worst app in the universe I hate it *2020-10-25, version 1.12* Practically everything is for the premium why is there a subscription I hate this app ### 1/5 — Good idea, but never any updates *2020-09-29, version 1.12* I paid $7.99 for a 1-year subscription in October 2019. Since then, I've never seen a word-list update, and the last update to the app was almost a year ago. This should absolutely have been a one-time purchase if there were no plans for ongoing development. Charging for a recurring subscription is malicious. ### 2/5 — Will Not Work after I paid for annual subscription *2020-09-17, version 1.12* My 6 year old son and I found the Puku App yesterday, tried the free version, and loved it! We went through 4 words, and then it stopped working. We tried again the next day with no luck. We deleted the app and restarted my phone. And the app still wouldn't work. Was it because I didn't pay for the subscription? We decided to pay for the annual subscription, and still no luck! This is very sad. The app worked just beautifully the day prior. I have 4 kids ages 6 to 15, and thought this would be a great way for them to improve their vocabulary. ### 2/5 — Nice Idea, Bad Execution *2020-07-08, version 1.12* Limited vocabulary lists and inability to share app amongst different devices (even with same login credentials) makes this a loser. But only if you subscribe. ### 5/5 — Good *2020-07-03, version 1.12* I really like this app, it helps me a lot! ### 4/5 — Has great potential *2020-05-13, version 1.12* Excellent concept and fun to play. However, needs 1. More word list. We consistently run out of lists. 2. When I create a word list, it should be shared or has the option to share with all the players on my app. Please keep it going!! Thanks. ## Frequently asked questions about Puku ### What does Puku do? Puku is a vocabulary learning app designed to make acquiring new words fun and rewarding for children. It uses a virtual pet that evolves as users master new words, along with adaptive learning technology to personalize the learning experience. ### What are the key features of Puku? Key features include a virtual pet that grows with word mastery, adaptive learning technology for personalized progress, ongoing leveled lists, and the ability to create custom word lists with pre-populated definitions from Merriam-Webster. Users can also share lists with friends. ### Is Puku free to use? Yes, the application is free to use. Students can play any word lists created by teachers for free, and the app is generally accessible without cost. ### What age group is Puku for? Puku is recommended for kids ages 8 and up. It's designed to be an engaging and effective tool for developing vocabulary for this age range. ### How does Puku help with learning? The app employs adaptive learning technology that responds to a child's performance, ensuring they focus on challenging vocabulary. It provides immediate corrective feedback and uses a virtual pet to celebrate progress, making the learning process motivating and efficient. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 1.12 — 2019-08-30 Store info update ## Apps similar to Puku | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Baby Learn - GREEK](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/baby-learn-greek/id1069774220) | — | Free | Education | | [Show Me! 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*