Vocabulary apps are an important part of the mobile app industry. There are thousands upon thousands of apps with games and tools that claim to help users memorize new vocabulary words, but how can one know which app to download? That’s where this list comes in. I’ve broken down four of the best apps for learning English vocabulary that I believe stand out above all others.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Learning English Vocabulary
- Busuu – The best all-rounder
Does learning vocabulary sometimes feel like a chore? Try Busuu. Just like Duolingo, Busuu uses gamification to make learning English a lot more enjoyable. However, unlike Duolingo, Busuu is actually useful for learning real-world language.
Busuu teaches you how a word sounds and gives an example sentence for each one. Topics cover everything from business, to travel, to language from The Economist. It also tests you with gap-fills and true or false questions, and includes a section for weak words to show you where you need to improve.
Download Busuu here
Busuu – 7 Apps for Learning English Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona
- Memrise – The best for user-generated content
If you’re part of the TikTok generation, and you love memes, Memrise might be the app for you. It uses short clips, from real-life local people, to demonstrate how words and phrases are used in natural conversation.
An added bonus is that it offers a translation in your native language as well. There’s also the Immerse videos. These work a bit like Instagram Reels, featuring short, funny video dialogues with captions. Just listen for the tone and pronunciation – then copy it just like the person in the video!
Download Memrise here
Memrise – 7 Apps for Learning English Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona
- LinGo Play – The best for basics
Ahh. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a simple picture flashcard. That’s why beginner learners of English might enjoy the app LinGo Play. You’ll find a range of basic vocabulary on topics such as Fruits and vegetables, Clothing and Furniture.
First learn the word with the flashcard, and listen to the pronunciation. Then, test yourself on what you’ve learnt with one of the in-built, spelling or listening activities. When you’re feeling really confident, have a go at playing a game against a genuine opponent!
Download LinGo Play here
Lingo Play – 7 Apps for Learning English Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona
- Quizlet – The best for exam prep
Have you got an English test coming up? Need to memorise a list of new words quickly? Consider downloading Quizlet. This is by far the best app for English exam preparation on our list. With matching games, memory tests, and quizzes, it offers more than flashcards. There are a huge number of study sets, which means you’re sure to find the topic you’re looking for. And if you can’t find it, why not create your own?
Download Quizlet here
Quizlet – 7 Apps for Learning English Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona
For more ways to use Quizlet check out our article: 5 tips to get the best out of Quizlet.
- Alphabear 2 – The best for word puzzles
This Scrabble-style app must be the cutest word app on the planet. Players have to spell out words by selecting letters from a grid. When they spell a word correctly, bears appear! The longer the word the bigger the bear.
There’s also a dictionary function which makes it great for language learners. Kids will love it too. Get them to create their own bear character, follow the story and navigate the map on their mission to build new words.
Download Alphabear 2 here
Alphabear 2 – 7 Apps for Learning English Vocabulary | Oxford House Barcelona
- WordReference – The best dictionary translation
Looking for a good, reliable, dictionary translation app? Look no further. This classroom favourite comes highly recommended by teachers and students alike. What makes it stand out from the crowd? WordReference offers multiple accurate translations of a word, and gives you an example sentence for each in both languages. It’s also an excellent tool for learning colloquial words, slang, synonyms and collocations on the go.
Download WordReference here
- Word of the Day – the best for daily vocabulary
Do you know what procrastinate means? We’ll tell you later.
Advanced English learners looking for more challenging and clever words to add their vocabulary might appreciate Word of the Day.
Not only does it give you a daily word complete with definition, there’s also an option to search the whole database for more popular vocabulary. And, if you’re bored on the bus, have a go at the word search function. Look up any words you don’t know the meaning of on the list, or click on the word to see the definition!
Best app for english vocabulary and grammar
- LearnEnglish Grammar
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LearnEnglish Grammar iOS app screen
LearnEnglish Grammar iOS app screen
LearnEnglish Grammar iOS app screen
The British Council is one of the best places to master English. But even if you are an English speaker, you can sharpen the nuances with their grammar app. The top-ranked learning app takes you through 25 grammar topics, 600 interactive activities, and thousands of questions from fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice, and word matching.
There are two versions of the app as British English and American English are slightly different with their pronunciations, spelling, and usage.
Download US Edition: LearnEnglish Grammar for Android | iOS (Free, In-App Purchases)
Download UK Edition: LearnEnglish Grammar for Android | iOS (Free, In-App Purchases)
- Johnny Grammar Word Challenge
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Johnny Grammar Word Challenge
Johnny Grammar Word Challenge
Johnny Grammar Word Challenge
The British Council offers a slew of apps to help you improve your English. Pair the above app with the free and fun Johnny Grammar Word Challenge app. The 60-second quizzes will test you on common vocabulary, spelling and grammar, and help you shore up your conversational English.
The quizzes cover 12 grammar topics (like Prepositions, Irregular verbs, Conjunctions, etc.) and take you through usages around food & restaurants, travel, small talk, hobbies, and more. It’s a nice pedagogical tool that relies on a global leaderboard and badges to keep you motivated.
Download: Johnny Grammar Word Challenge for Android | iOS (Free)
Starting your IELTS preparations? The British Council offers easy-to-use IELTS Prep App for Android and iOS with free practice tests, grammar tips, exercises, and quizzes.
RELATED:
The Best Websites And Apps That Will Help Improve Your Prose
- Grammaropolis
We stay with fun on this site for young grammar students (Age: 8+). Grammar quizzes, songs, books, games, and instructional videos help you grasp the quirks of the eight parts of speech. The parts of speech come alive with animated characters and star in their own books, songs, videos, and interactive games.
You can use the website or the apps for Android and iOS. You can explore nouns for free. The music videos and information pages for all parts of speech are free too. For the others, go with one of the subscription plans ($3.99 per month, $19.99 per year, or $39.99 for forever).
Download: Grammaropolis for Android | iOS (Free, In-App Purchases)
- Grammar Express (Super Edition)
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Grammar Express
Grammar Express
Grammar Express
Click on the above link and you can get your hands on the entire range of grammar apps. Each addresses a specific category of English usage. But the Super Edition can be a more practical purchase as it pools them all together in one single app.
As their own copy says, you get over 600 pages of grammar lessons with over 5000 examples explaining each rule. Soak it all in and test your progress on the 8500 questions in the app.
The app is pricey. An alternative is to buy the individual apps that cover your grammar weaknesses.
Download: Grammar Express Super Edition for iOS Broken URL Removed
- English Grammar in Use
This app for intermediate learners is based on Raymond Murphy’s bestselling grammar book by the same name. The interface looks plain and can be clunky at times. But don’t let that take anything away from the content.
There are 145 units of grammar explanations and exercises. The free version has fewer topics, but you can try it out with a guide to past and present tenses, interactive exercises, glossary, and a Study Guide.
Pricing is incremental as you progress through the units. It may seem expensive but can be worthwhile because of the reputation of the name behind it.
Download: English Grammar in Use for Android | iOS (Free, In-App Purchases)
- English with Lingualeo
Language learning with Lingualeo
The Lingualeo app is a language learning platform for non-native speakers in Russia, Brazil, Spain, and Turkey. The online language gamification service started its life in Russia but now focusses on Spanish speaking countries like Portugal and Brazil too.
The colorful gamification elements could be just right if your Spanish is strong, but you want to improve your English.
There are free and subscription plans. The Free tier gives you access to 250,000 texts, articles, and book excerpts across 25 grammar topics. More learning options include vocabulary workouts and 300 TED lectures with interactive subtitles.
Download: Lingualeo for Android | iOS (Free, In-App Purchases)
- Mad Libs
Mad Libs is a popular word and grammar game. At the heart of the game are the books and apps. One player prompts the other for a list of words to substitute for blanks in a story. Different clues in the game challenge you to insert parts of speech into a sentence.
Sounds too simple?
There’s nothing stopping you from making up your own rules and create wacky sentences. The game is easy and anyone of any age can play it. It’s fun for everyone and an educational exercise for kids. A teacher’s guide is also available on the site if you want to take this into the classroom.
Download: Mad Libs for Android | iOS
- English Grammar Book
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English Grammar Book
English Grammar Book
English Grammar Book
The English Grammar Book is a simple app for those who don’t want gamification. But don’t let that take anything away from its utility. It offers easy explanations on topics that can befuddle you.
All areas of English grammar are covered—from active or passive voice to homophones, idioms, and verbs. Every explanation is supported with several examples.
Tackle the topics and do the exercises. You can keep track of your progress and analyze the results as you improve. The app is ad-supported which can be removed with a small purchase.
Conclusion
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