# Vocabulary.com

> Adaptive vocabulary learning system with a game-like interface and smart dictionary. (iPhone/iPad app by Curiosity Media.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vocabularycom/id815218412 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Curiosity Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/332510497)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 4,959 App Store ratings · 486 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-03-18
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vocabularycom/id815218412/reviews.md

## What is Vocabulary.com?

With its uniquely effective word learning system, the Vocabulary.com app helps you master words through a fun and addictive game. And it’s powered by the world's smartest, fastest dictionary. From the makers of the award-winning Vocabulary.com website, this app will expand your vocabulary with lightning speed!

“A positively addictive app for aspiring wordsmiths.” —Fast Company

“Vocabulary.com reveals the truth about your vocabulary skills and helps you improve.” —AppAdvice

“An addictive word-learning app... an approachable dictionary and quiz machine.” —TIME

* Featured in Best New Apps for Reference

IT’S A SCIENCE...
Vocabulary.com is a comprehensive program for lifelong learning of vocabulary, in which each activity is specially chosen for you.

• We use sophisticated algorithms to help you learn more effectively.
• We start with 235,858 questions that teach 15,914 words.
• We use the science of learning to model how you learn (and retain) new words.
• By comparing your answers to the hundreds of millions of answers given by other Vocabulary.com users, we personalize your learning experience and choose the best question for you at just the right time.

...AND IT’S A GAME
We’ve turned learning vocabulary into an addictive game. You may not even notice that you’re learning along the way.

• Accumulate points, achievements and badges.
• Compete with Vocabulary.com users from throughout the world.

YOU CHOOSE...
Studying for an exam like the SAT, GRE, or TOEFL? We have learnable lists for you, covering  everything from standardized tests to breaking news — you name it.

• Choose from one of our 50,000 ready-to-learn lists.
• Or if you see a word in the dictionary that you want to learn, just click "learn this word" and we'll teach it to you.

...OR WE CHOOSE
Don't have a specific word or list in mind? Let our adaptive learning system find the right word for you.

• Just play a few questions, and we'll pinpoint the words that are appropriate for your level.
• We won't waste your time on words that are too easy or too hard.

YOU IMPROVE
Like a good coach, Vocabulary.com won’t give up on you. Whether you pick the words or let us find them for you, we’ll work with you until you've mastered them.

And even after you've achieved mastery, we'll continue to reinforce what you have learned to make sure that it all stays fresh in your memory. Next thing you know, you’ll be expanding your vocabulary and improving your communication, a key to success in school and business.

FINALLY, A DICTIONARY WITH A SOUL
Our dictionary was written for humans, by humans. Look up a word, and you’ll read a friendly explanation that you'll actually remember. It’s as if your favorite teacher were explaining it to you.

We include clever usage tips and thousands of real-world example sentences that'll show you how words live in the wild and will make you more confident about using them yourself.

See a word you’d like to know better? Tap "Learn this Word" and easily add it to your learning program.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"Vocabulary.com is among the quickest, and most intelligent ways for students to improve their vocabulary. Regardless of education level or age, Vocabulary.com will help master the words that are essential to academic and business success." —National Education Association

“Educators who are familiar with Vocabulary.com are impressed by the technology. It is a sign, they say, that real progress is finally being made in computer-assisted education.”  —The New York Times

“Vocabulary.com could actually make speaking well cool again.” —TIME

“Vocabulary.com boasts a Web-based dashboard bristling with points, levels, progress bars and achievement bonuses, among other attractions.” —USA Today

HONORS AND AWARDS
• TIME’s 50 Best Websites of the Year
• PC Magazine's Top 100 Websites of the Year
• Tech & Learning Award of Excellence
• Webby Awards: Official Honoree in Education

## Key features

- Adaptive learning algorithms
- Personalized word learning
- Game-like learning experience
- Accumulate points, achievements, and badges
- 50,000 ready-to-learn lists
- Human-written dictionary explanations
- Usage tips and example sentences

## What do users think of Vocabulary.com?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 💯 Excellent for education
- 📚 Great for learning new words
- 🎓 Effective for vocabulary expansion
- 🤓 Handy tool for improving vocabulary
- 🧠 Helps understand words better
- 🔍 Comprehensive dictionary with good explanations
- 🎮 Fun and engaging vocabulary games

**Cons**

- 🐛 Glitchy sign-up process
- 🔍 Limited search functionality
- 🗓️ Does not save progress
- 🧠 Archaic word definitions
- 🔒 Constant log-out issues
- 🧭 Confusing interface, lacks navigation
- 🧠 Not optimized for specific test prep

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Unable to sign up or log in
- Incompatible with latest iOS versions
- Inconsistent behavior when adding words to lists

**Most requested features**

- Allow users to create and manage custom word lists
- Add option to review previously mastered words
- Provide more advanced vocabulary learning features
- Improve overall app performance and stability
- Offer offline dictionary functionality
- Add support for multiple languages and accents

## Recent user reviews (10 of 486)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vocabularycom/id815218412/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love!

*2026-08-19, version 1.0.2*

I spend hours on this app! So much fun and incredibly helpful!

### 1/5 — Too glitchy

*2026-08-08, version 1.0.2*

Frustrating esp after investing time & words.

### 1/5 — Bad Update

*2026-08-03, version 1.0.2*

Please fix this. I was willing to forgive some of the weird navigation issues and the random crashes because the app had one feature I genuinely loved—it let me save new vocab words, which I could then study and learn. Now, that feature has been removed, and I can’t access my full list of words on the app. If I wanted to simply look up words, I’d choose an app with smoother functionality.

### 5/5 — Excellent app

*2026-08-02, version 1.0.2*

Helped me a lot

### 5/5 — Why is their no spelling bee

*2026-08-01, version 1.0.2*

Spell

### 3/5 — Good but could use some improvements

*2026-07-27, version 1.0.2*

I enjoy this app and learning new words at the tip of my fingers however it won’t always let me add new words to my list and doesn’t not store all of the words I’ve mastered since using the app.

### 2/5 — Cannot Choose Words to Learn

*2026-07-26, version 1.0.2*

I used to love using this app to learn words I looked up when reading, but it seems this feature is no longer available. It does have many pre made lists you can use, but it no longer serves my needs, unfortunately. I will say that the team was very helpful in conveying this information and helping me understand that this functionality is no longer available on the app and is only available on the web browser.

### 2/5 — Vocab

*2026-07-20, version 1.0.2*

Vocab helps me learn. And over the years I am doing 6th grade words and getting them right even though I am in the 3rd grade! It is cool (▼⌣▼)

### 5/5 — Vocabulary Boost

*2026-06-27, version 1.0.2*

This app allows me to ameliorate my vocabulary

### 2/5 — Technical difficulties

*2026-06-27, version 1.0.2*

It’s so frustrating to try to get so many of the things in this app to work. When I try to click the “start learning this list”, it doesn’t do anything. When I click “start learning this word” it just tells me it was unable to add the word. I kept trying to re-set my password and the “ forgot my password” button wasn’t working for about the first ten times I clicked it, then when it finally worked and said it sent me the reset password email, I saw nothing in my inbox or spam folder, even after re-sending it. The vocab learning is nice when you get into it, but the mobile version is subpar at best

## Frequently asked questions about Vocabulary.com

### What does the Vocabulary.com app do?

The app uses a science-based, game-like system to help you master new words. It features a smart dictionary and personalized learning activities chosen by sophisticated algorithms to make learning effective and engaging.

### How does the learning system work?

The app employs sophisticated algorithms that model how you learn and retain new words. By comparing your answers to millions of others, it personalizes your experience and selects the best questions for you at the right time.

### Is there a cost to use Vocabulary.com?

Based on the provided information, the app is free to use. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a completely free experience for users.

### Can I use this app to study for specific exams?

Yes, the app offers learnable lists for various standardized tests, including the SAT, GRE, and TOEFL. You can also choose specific words you encounter to learn them.

### What makes the dictionary unique?

The dictionary is written by humans for humans, offering friendly explanations that are easy to remember. It includes clever usage tips and thousands of real-world example sentences to show how words are used in context.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.0.2 — 2021-09-22

Minor bug fixes

### 1.0.1 — 2014-03-21

-  Improved signup process
-  Squashed some minor bugs

### 1.0.0 — 2014-03-07

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Vocabulary.com

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## More apps by Curiosity Media

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All apps by Curiosity Media: https://appshunter.io/developer/332510497

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*
