How Strong Is My Vocabulary?

Take this quiz to test your vocab skills!

Are you the ultimate wordsmith? Then this vocabulary quiz is for you! We challenge you to put your knowledge to the test with these 10 questions.

Will you be a victor (winner) or will you be vanquished (conquered)? Click or tap “Start Quiz” to find out!

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Questions Overview

1. What’s a synonym for “banish”?
  1. Exile
  2. Avoid
  3. Hustle
  4. Plunge
2. What’s a synonym for “sabotage”?
  1. Repair
  2. Destroy
  3. Savage
  4. Roar
3. What’s a synonym for “artifact”?
  1. Data
  2. Language
  3. Relic
  4. Payment
4. What’s a synonym for “swagger”?
  1. Cage
  2. Ambush
  3. Swing
  4. Strut
5. What’s a synonym for “javelin”?
  1. Taxi
  2. Spear
  3. Instrument
  4. Stone
6. What’s a synonym for “eavesdrop”?
  1. Speak
  2. Learn
  3. Listen
  4. Teach
7. What’s a synonym for “despise”?
  1. Prefer
  2. Dislike
  3. Tackle
  4. Surrender
8. What’s a synonym for “surreal”?
  1. Fake
  2. Massive
  3. Dazzling
  4. Unusual
9. What’s a synonym for “turmoil”?
  1. Flee
  2. Struggle
  3. Harvest
  4. Confusion
10. What’s a synonym for “quest”?
  1. Search
  2. Capture
  3. Bulldoze
  4. Trigger

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If you do have your sights set on improving your vocabulary, the good news is that it\u2019s actually pretty easy to do! Reading is one of the best ways to learn new vocabulary words, so head to the library and pick up a few comics, novels, biographies, or a collection of poems. If you come across a word you don\u2019t know, look it up! You\u2019ll be spouting off terms like \u201ccurtail\u201d (to cut short) and \u201cexemplary\u201d (representing the best) in no time.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Pronounce-the-Longest-Word-in-the-English-Dictionary"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary","id":594414,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary"},{"title":"How to Pronounce the Longest Word in the English Dictionary","id":9351991,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Pronounce-the-Longest-Word-in-the-English-Dictionary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Pronounce-the-Longest-Word-in-the-English-Dictionary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Pronounce-the-Longest-Word-in-the-English-Dictionary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Pronounce the Longest Word in the English Dictionary"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You\u2019re a vocabulary beginner!","meaning":"You answered at least half of these questions right\u2014impressive! They were tricky. Still, it seems like you have some room to grow, which is totally understandable. How often will you really hear a word like \u201cbanish\u201d in your everyday conversations, anyway?

If you do want to improve your vocabulary, you absolutely can! Search online for a vocab list for your grade level and make flashcards to memorize each of the terms. Or, pick up a book in a genre you don\u2019t normally read (whether that\u2019s a biography of your favorite athlete or a retelling of a classic fairy tale) to look up any unfamiliar words you come across.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Use-a-Thesaurus"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary","id":594414,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary"},{"title":"How to Use a Thesaurus","id":105951,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Use-a-Thesaurus","image":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Use-a-Thesaurus-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Use-a-Thesaurus-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Use a Thesaurus"}],"minimum":5,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":3,"text":"You\u2019re a budding vocabulary scholar!","meaning":"Well done! You answered most of these questions correctly, and we know they were tough. We\u2019re impressed that you know so many words that you probably don\u2019t hear often in everyday conversation.

Aiming for a perfect score? It\u2019s easy to expand your vocabulary! Play word games, peruse a thesaurus or dictionary, or get one of those \u201cword of the day\u201d calendars. Then, try to work new words into conversations with friends and family.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Use-a-Thesaurus"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary","id":594414,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary"},{"title":"How to Use a Thesaurus","id":105951,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Use-a-Thesaurus","image":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Use-a-Thesaurus-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Use-a-Thesaurus-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Use a Thesaurus"}],"minimum":7,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":4,"text":"You\u2019re a vocabulary expert!","meaning":"You answered all 10 questions correctly\u2014splendid job! You finished this quiz in an exemplary fashion and we couldn\u2019t be more proud. We\u2019d collaborate with you anytime to undertake a quest. Okay, okay, we won\u2019t pontificate further, but suffice it to say\u2026congratulations!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Memorize-Vocabulary"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary","id":594414,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Expand-Your-Vocabulary-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Expand Your Vocabulary"},{"title":"How to Memorize Vocabulary","id":706798,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Memorize-Vocabulary","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Memorize-Vocabulary-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Memorize-Vocabulary-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Memorize Vocabulary"}],"minimum":10,"image":"","image_url":""}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"IQ<\/picture>","alt":"IQ Test For Kids"},{"title":"Am I Smarter than a 5th Grader Quiz","id":14174658,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Are-You-Smarter-than-a-5th-Grader-Quiz","image":"\"Are<\/picture>","alt":"Am I Smarter than a 5th Grader Quiz"},{"title":"States and Capitals Quiz","id":14134360,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/States-and-Capitals-Quiz","image":"\"States<\/picture>","alt":"States and Capitals Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"No, I\u2019m ready for something different.","result":"You got it! Take one of these fun quizzes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Emoji Test","id":14421561,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Emoji-Test","image":"\"Emoji<\/picture>","alt":"Emoji Test"},{"title":"What Video Game Should I Play Quiz","id":13800637,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Game-Should-I-Play","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Video Game Should I Play Quiz"},{"title":"Does My Crush Like Me Quiz","id":13907873,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relationships\/Does-My-Crush-Like-Me-Quiz","image":"\"Does<\/picture>","alt":"Does My Crush Like Me Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

Vocabulary: An Overview

What is vocabulary?
As defined by the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, vocabulary is “all the words that a person knows or uses.”


How to Improve Your Vocabulary

1. Read! Reading is one of the best, easiest, and most fun ways to improve your vocabulary. You’ll come across new terms in all kinds of reading material, from newspapers and biographies to comics and novels.

2. Look up words you don’t know. Whenever you see a word you’re unfamiliar with, take a few seconds to find out the meaning. Look up words in a dictionary, search them online, or even ask Alexa!

3. Play word games. Who said learning can’t be fun? Play games like Scrabble, Boggle, and Cranium, do crossword puzzles, or sign up for a “Word of the Day” email. Bit by bit, you’ll increase your knowledge.

4. Use a thesaurus. A thesaurus provides a list of synonyms, or words with a similar meaning, to the original word. Not only can that help you understand the meaning of a word, but it can give you alternative terms to use to expand your vocabulary.

5. Make flashcards. If you’re studying vocab words for a quiz or test, flashcards are a great resource. Just write out the word on one side of an index card (or piece of paper) and the definition on the other.


10 Vocabulary Words Everyone Should Know

  • Acquiesce (v): to reluctantly accept
    • Example: “She will acquiesce her employer’s request to work late.”
  • Colloquial (adj): informal or for everyday use, usually referring to language
    • Example: “He avoided colloquial expressions in his college essay.”
  • Eloquent (adj): speaking or expressing yourself clearly, fluently, or persuasively
    • Example: “Her acceptance speech was eloquent.”
  • Juxtaposition (n): two things put together that contrast each other
    • Example: “The song was a juxtaposition of classical and hard rock.”
  • Keen (adj): sharp, clear, or well-developed
    • Example: “Dogs have a keen sense of smell.”
  • Obtain (v): to get, secure, or acquire something
    • Example: “He planned to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences.”
  • Presume (v): to assume
    • Example: “I don’t presume to know how you feel.”
  • Scarce (adj): rare or insufficient
    • Example: “Good restaurants were scarce in that part of town.”
  • Usurp (v): to take the place of by force
    • Example: “The Joker planned to usurp the throne.”
  • Zeal (n): enthusiasm or energy
    • Example: “You have zeal for learning new vocabulary words.”

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