Vocabulary.com
© 2011 Thinkmap, Inc.
Vocabulary.com models each person’s abilities in order to serve up an individualized word-learning experience, drawn from a 90,000 word list. It uses a technology called Adaptive Vocabulary Instruction (AVI) to develop a personalized list of words to master. Because each word is used in different contexts, it is impossible to rely on rote memorization to get through the exercises. For example, consider how Vocabulary.com handles the words "censor" and "censure" from the following excerpt. "A censor hides information. A censure is harsh criticism. They're both judgments. Foul language, nudity, and revolutionary ideas are often censored, or hidden, by some gang who's in charge, such as a government, the FCC, or your parents when they kick you out of the room for the best part of the movie. Censor can act as a verb or a noun: But Iran routinely censors the Internet using sophisticated filtering technology. (Wall Street Journal) The catalog reproduces a news photograph of "beach censors" arresting women in such offending garb. (New York Times) Censure is a strong dislike. When you strongly disapprove of something, usually in an official capacity, you are censuring that something, like when the student council censures your idea to have a pool party in December." Features include a dictionary that uses predictive technology to display definitions. Content includes "100 million example sentences" drawn from texts. The free service is supported by advertising.
Internet Site, Windows, Mac OSX
Teaches: reading, spelling