faq
How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS?
Improve your IELTS vocabulary by learning words in context rather than from bare lists, and focus on the academic words the exam rewards. Read widely, notice how each word is normally used, and study near-synonyms side by side so you know which to choose. On lexicow, every word comes with exam-ready collocations and a synonym or antonym pairing that shows the exact difference.
What is the best way to learn the difference between similar words?
The best way to learn the difference between similar words is to study them side by side and focus on the one feature that separates them, not their shared meaning. Seeing the contrast — in an example, an image, or a clear rule — fixes the boundary in memory. lexicow's synonyms and confusing-words pages do exactly this, animating each pair so the difference is something you watch, not just read.
How many words do I need to know for IELTS band 7?
Most estimates put Band 7 at around 3,000–5,000 well-understood words, but range matters far less than precision. Band 7 rewards using words flexibly and accurately and paraphrasing naturally — not reciting a long list. A smaller set of academic words you can deploy correctly beats thousands you only half-know, so build depth: collocations, word forms, and the exact shade of each word.
Why do synonyms and antonyms matter in IELTS and TOEFL writing?
Synonyms and antonyms matter because both exams reward lexical range — using varied, precise words instead of repeating one. Synonyms let you paraphrase the prompt and avoid repetition; antonyms sharpen contrast and argument. The catch is that near-synonyms rarely swap cleanly, so you also need the difference between them. lexicow pairs every word with its synonyms and antonyms for exactly this reason.
How do I stop confusing words that look or sound alike?
Stop confusing look-alike words by tackling the pair together rather than one at a time, and anchoring each to a clear rule or image — for example, you adapt TO conditions but you are adept AT a skill. Studying the pair side by side keeps them from blurring. lexicow's confusing-words section sets each pair, like adapt vs adept or imply vs infer, beside a one-line rule and two animated scenes.
Is memorising word lists an effective way to learn vocabulary?
Memorising word lists is not very effective on its own. Lists build passive recognition, but exams test active use — choosing the right word in context under pressure. Words learned from a bare list are quickly forgotten and easily misused. Learning each word in context, with examples, collocations and its closest neighbours, is far more durable — and that context-first approach is the whole design of lexicow.
What is the difference between active and passive vocabulary?
Active vocabulary is the words you can recall and use accurately in speaking and writing; passive vocabulary is the words you recognise when reading or listening but rarely produce yourself. Everyone's passive vocabulary is much larger than their active one. IELTS and TOEFL test active command, so the goal is to move words from passive to active — by using them, not just meeting them.
How do animations help you remember words?
Animations help you remember words because a word tied to an image or a small story is recalled far better than a word tied only to a translation — your memory has more to hold on to. A short scene that acts out a meaning also captures nuance a definition can't, like the exact way one word differs from its neighbour. That is why every lexicow word is animated.
What is lexicow?
lexicow is a TOEFL and IELTS vocabulary site that teaches academic words through short animations rather than word lists. Each word is shown beside its synonyms and antonyms — the near ones and the far ones — with a small scene that acts out the difference in meaning. The pages form a connected web, so words keep returning in new pairings, fixing them in memory.
Is lexicow free to use?
Yes — lexicow is completely free. There is no paywall, no subscription, and no limit on how many words or comparison pages you can read. The only things stored are your navigation preference and recently visited words, kept locally in your own browser and never sent anywhere.
Do I need to create an account?
No — lexicow needs no account, no sign-up, and no app to install. Just open any page and start; nothing is gated behind a login. Your preferences live in your browser's local storage, so the site remembers your navigation mode without ever collecting personal data.
Which exams is lexicow designed for?
lexicow is designed for TOEFL and IELTS. Its vocabulary comes from the Academic Word List and words that recur in past exam materials, and every entry includes a note on how the word behaves in those exams. The same academic vocabulary also helps with TOEIC, PTE, Cambridge exams, and university-level reading and writing.