Vocabulary Games
Practice your vocabulary with interactive games. Every correct answer earns XP and builds your level.
The Letters Game
Choose 9 letters then find the longest word. For Carol and Rachel. In memory of Richard Whiteley.
Countdown
Unscramble the letters to find the vocabulary word before the clock runs out. In memory of Richard Whiteley.
Blockbusters
The classic Bob Holness hex grid vocabulary game. Answer definitions to connect opposite sides of the board. Whole class, pairs, or solo Gold Run mode. Accepts British and American spelling.
Word Search
Find hidden vocabulary words in a letter grid. Race against time to spot every word.
Flashcards
Flip cards to test word meanings. Quiz mode gives four choices; study mode lets you self-report.
Crossword
Read the definition clue and type the word into an interlocking grid. Reveal up to 3 words if you're stuck.
Matching Pairs
Flip cards to match words with their definitions. Fewer moves = more points.
Anagram
Unscramble shuffled letters to form the correct vocabulary word. Click letters to build your answer.
Word Detective
Read the clue and guess the hidden word letter by letter. Six wrong guesses and the case is closed!
Who Wants to Be Proficient?
Climb the CEFR ladder from A1 to C2 — 18 vocabulary and grammar questions, four lifelines, and safe checkpoints. Inspired by Chris Tarrant.
Grammar Snap
One sentence — correct or incorrect? Five seconds to decide. Guru mode removes all highlighting for an extra challenge.
Vocabulary Games — Free ESL Games Online
A growing collection of free ESL vocabulary games built specifically for students preparing for IGCSE ESL, IB English B and Cambridge B2 First examinations. Every game draws vocabulary directly from the ESLe College database — over 8,000 words tagged by CEFR level, exam curriculum and topic. No generic word lists. No filler. Just the vocabulary your students actually need to know.
Games for every learning style
Different students retain vocabulary in different ways. Some need to see a word repeatedly before it sticks. Others need to produce it under pressure. Some learn through competition, others through quiet repetition. The games on this page cover every approach — recognition, recall, spelling, definition-matching and timed production — so every student can find a format that works for them.
- Countdown — unscramble the letters to find the vocabulary word before 30 seconds runs out. In memory of Richard Whiteley.
- The Letters Game — pick your own consonants and vowels and find the longest word you can make. For Carol Vorderman and Rachel Riley.
- Blockbusters — the classic hex grid game. Connect your side of the board by answering vocabulary clues. In memory of Bob Holness.
- Word Search — find hidden vocabulary words in a letter grid. Race against the timer to spot every word.
- Flashcards — test word meanings with four-option quiz mode, or use study mode to flip and self-report.
- Crossword — read the definition clue and type the word into an interlocking grid. Accurate spelling required.
- Matching Pairs — flip cards to match words with definitions or translations. A memory game with real vocabulary depth.
- Anagram — rearrange the scrambled letters to spell the vocabulary word. Definition shown as a clue.
- Word Detective — guess the hidden word letter by letter from a definition clue. Six attempts before the word is revealed.
How the vocabulary is selected
Every word in every game is drawn from the ESLe College vocabulary database — a curated set of over 8,000 words spanning CEFR levels A1 through C1. Words are tagged by exam curriculum so students automatically see the vocabulary relevant to their own course: IGCSE ESL students see IGCSE vocabulary, IB English B students see their five theme-tagged word sets, Cambridge B2 First students see their exam-specific vocabulary. Use the level filter in any game to narrow the difficulty to exactly where your students are.
XP, streaks and progress tracking
Logged-in students earn XP for every correct answer. XP accumulates across all games and is displayed on the student dashboard alongside a personal vocabulary progress tracker. Streaks reset when a wrong answer is given — keeping students focused and honest. Progress is saved automatically so students can pick up exactly where they left off between sessions.
For teachers
Every game on this page has a Whole class mode or a Pairs mode designed for classroom use. Project on the board for whole-class warmers, set individual games for homework, or use Pairs mode to settle students while the class arrives. The Teacher Hub has additional classroom tools including Spin the Wheel, Vocabulary Bingo, Hot Seat and more — all powered by the same vocabulary database.
For grammar-focused games, visit the Grammar Games page — Gap Fill, Spot the Mistake and Sentence Scramble are all there.