WordUp - AI Vocabulary Builder

What is WordUp Vocabulary Builder app?

WordUp is a vocabulary-building app with a vast dictionary and customisable learning goals.

WordUp uses spaced repetition to introduce, practice, secure, and remind students of the new words they have learned. It contains 25,000 of the most useful words in the English language, categorised according to topics, fields of study, and professions.

Users indicate their interests as part of the onboarding process, and the app uses those to determine which words are most important for you to learn. It gives those words a rating relative to their interests and goals and then introduces the most important words first.

These words form a personalised knowledge map with a visual presence on the user's screen, showing where the current terms exist in importance related to the chosen topics and aims. Users can still access all 25,000 words in the app, but this map ensures they begin with the most relevant to their goals.

Users practice and grow their vocabulary by working through the words the app selects in a flashcard-style activity. High-quality photos and videos add context and interest to each word.

They indicate whether they would like to return to learning the word later, learn it now, or already know it. If they choose later, the app adds the word to a personal dictionary for further study. The app records the user's progress over time.

As the app uses spaced repetition, it will return to the words users need to learn more often than the ones they indicate they already know.

Importantly for anyone using English daily, the app helps learners understand common idioms.

Students can get advice, use their new vocabulary, and practise English, in general, using the app's GPT-based artificial intelligence. This chatbot responds in a very human-like fashion to comments and questions from the user.

What we love about WordUp app.

WordUp has a very polished feel to it. Many vocabulary apps rely heavily on low-resolution or unclear imagery. The photos and videos we saw in this review were worthy of being in a premium product.

The level of detail attached to each word shown to the user is impressive and clearly communicated. A video or picture helps to illustrate the meaning, a selection of typical uses, and the many alternative uses of the word.  

Users can tell the app to pronounce each word and its definition, which will help avoid unlearning a practised mispronunciation. Each example we checked in this review was clear and accurate.

WordUp is very sensitive to its user's needs, lifestyle and level of commitment. The huge dictionary and careful categorisation of each word let the app match many different interests and approaches to learning. The setup process learns about the users' reasons for expanding their vocabulary, which is reflected well in the words the app prioritises.

Each learner tells the app how much time they want to spend using it with options ranging from 0-10 minutes up to 30+ minutes. They also indicate what time of the day they want the app to remind them to practise.

The app also has a sense of fun. It is one of the early educational app users of GPT artificial intelligence to let users have a convincing chat with a well-known personality. The personalities ranging from Stan Laurel to Mahatma Gandhi respond in a style reminiscent of how they spoke, and, in our tests, the chatbots knew the key information about the person portrayed.

As well as providing a practice opportunity for using and reading the new words in their vocabulary, the chatbots are an effective method for students to practise the English language in general and learn about some historic people.

What skills does it teach?

WordUp helps learners grow their English language vocabulary, either in general or related to a specific domain or test.

What age is it appropriate for?

WordUp has an age rating of 12+. We do not recommend it for young kids due to the unpredictable nature of chatbot conversations, and it includes vocabulary not typically introduced to children.

Is WordUp app easy to use?

WordUp guides users through a setup process to ensure they get what they want from the app. It asks why they want to learn English Vocabulary with options including general improvement, exam preparation, or learning words associated with professions and businesses.

Depending on what users choose, they'll see follow-up questions regarding their selected exam, occupation, or interests.

How will students benefit?

WordUp's effective approach to helping its users improve their vocabularies has the potential to help anyone. Students just starting to learn English can expand the basic building blocks of their understanding. More proficient speakers will add variety and nuance to their conversations with the different words they know. Students certifying their accomplishments with an exam such as TOEFL, GRE, PTE, or IELTS will have a greater chance of success.

The chatbot is an excellent way for students to build up their confidence. The personalities behind them provide practice and advice without judgement or criticism. Chatting with the personalities feels natural, and the responses are realistic and interesting.

The AI tutor sets challenges and will help students with their responses. It feels very much like an always-available tutor.

The app doesn't rely only on artificial intelligence to encourage progress. Users can see which days they have met their commitments and join a friends league to compare them against their classmates or colleagues.

WordUp helps with pronunciation by speaking the words. Users can choose whether those words are spoken with a US or British accent. All of the relevant parts of the app have the potential for narration, including the words and their definitions.

How will parents benefit?

WordUp's learning contents and AI-based support make it a cost-effective investment for parents to help their kids get ready for English language proficiency tests, college entrance tests, or career-focused preparation.

How will teachers benefit?

The chatbot functionality is great for teachers as they can review their students' conversations and offer advice. The contents of chats remain on users' devices, so learners must show their teacher the results from their device, but it will still work as a basis for discussion.

The chatbot itself can give learners answers without waiting for their teachers' attention which saves students waiting and frees up teachers to work with those most in need of the support.

How much does WordUp app cost?

WordUp is free to download. You'll need to register to use it, and can sample the learning and even chat with the AI without subscribing.

There are two free trial options. If you subscribe for the year, you'll get two weeks free. If you subscribe monthly, the trial is for one week. In both cases, you can cancel the trial before payment begins.

Growing your vocabulary takes time, so think carefully about how long you'll need the app, as the yearly subscription offers a discount of more than 50% compared to subscribing for 12 months.

Is WordUp app safe to use?

WordUp uses a GPT-based artificial intelligence to power its chatbots. This is an excellent use of the technology, but users must be aware that, like all such AI chatbots, it could give wrong answers or respond inappropriately. Chatbots tend to have protections in place, and we did not notice anything like this during this review, but it is a possibility.

We recommend against users entering personal data or identifiable information within the chats. This advice applies to any app or website using an AI chatbot.

The Privacy Policy for this app is easily readable due to the inclusion of a convenient 'in short' section at the start of each clause.

What can WordUp app improve on?

The app asks users to pick their favourite topics during the setup process. It would make sense to rephrase this as the topics don't relate to many people's idea of 'favourite'. Few people would class 'time' as a topic of interest, but they will want to learn its associated vocabulary.

The chatbots adopt the personality's manner of speaking. For example, Stan Laurel will say 'me friend' instead of 'my friend'. As users of this app might not be aware of the stylistic portrayal of accents, it would be helpful for the app to offer some extra explanation to avoid confusion.

Overall rating of the app.

WordUp feels a very complete English vocabulary builder app. Its internal dictionary covers every conceivable topic and purpose. Its flashcard-style learning activities were some of the most informative and attractive we've seen, and the chatbot felt genuinely helpful and not a gimmick.

Whatever reasons you or your students have for wanting an English language vocabulary app, we recommend WordUp as an effective five-star certified app.

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You can download WordUp - AI Vocabulary Builder on your iOS or Android devices from the app stores. Download the WordUp - AI Vocabulary Builder app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

You can download WordUp - AI Vocabulary Builder on your Windows devices from the Windows Store.