Definition Match
Match four English words with their plain-English meanings. A two-minute vocabulary round.
About Definition Match
Definition Match is a free daily English vocabulary game built for ESL learners who want to anchor new words to real meanings, not just translations. The board has four English words on the left and four short, plain-English definitions on the right. Tap a word, then tap the definition that matches it. A correct pair locks in with colour; a wrong pair shakes red.
Clear all four pairs to win, and try to do it without any mistakes for the perfect-round bonus. The clever part is that the definitions are written in plain B1-level English, not dictionary jargon, so the game also reinforces the skill of reading English definitions in English — a habit that breaks the translation crutch that holds many learners back. Every word is drawn from the 7ESL lexicon, tagged from A2 to C1 by CEFR level, and includes part of speech in the post-round reveal so you can see context.
The reveal also shows an example sentence and IPA pronunciation for each word, turning a quick game into a structured vocabulary mini-lesson. Definition Match is ideal for A2 to B2 learners building a usable everyday word stock, B2 to C1 learners polishing precise meaning, IELTS and Cambridge candidates building lexical accuracy, and teachers wanting a quick vocabulary warm-up. Free to play, no sign-up needed.
Why play Definition Match?
- ✓ Trains reading English definitions in English — kills the translation crutch.
- ✓ Plain B1-level definitions are accessible from A2 upwards.
- ✓ Post-round reveal adds IPA + example sentence for richer learning.
- ✓ Four-pair round is short enough for two-minute daily practice.
How to play
- Tap a word in the left column to select it.
- Tap the definition that matches its meaning.
- Correct pairs lock in with colour. Wrong pairs shake red.
- Match all four pairs to finish.
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Frequently asked questions
How does Definition Match work?
Four English words appear in the left column and four short plain-English definitions appear on the right. Tap a word to select it, then tap the definition that means the same thing. Correct pairs lock in with colour and disappear from the board. Wrong pairs shake red and stay so you can try again. Clear all four pairs to finish the round.
Can I see definitions after the round?
Yes. After every round the reveal shows the full entry for each word: part of speech, full dictionary definition, IPA pronunciation, CEFR level tag and an example sentence drawn from the 7ESL lexicon. Even if you matched everything correctly the reveal still teaches you the wider context of each word.
Why are the definitions written so simply?
Because reading definitions in English (rather than translating into your first language) is one of the most important habits to build. Definition Match keeps every definition at B1 vocabulary, in plain English, so even A2 learners can use it without a dictionary. That trains your brain to think directly in English — a long-term fluency win.
What CEFR levels does it cover?
The pool spans A2 to C1. A2 and B1 rounds focus on common everyday vocabulary that learners use in conversation. B2 and C1 rounds add more nuanced words — academic, abstract, register-marked — which are the words that lift IELTS Writing band scores from 6.5 to 7.5. You can mix levels in the daily board or filter to one.
Is Definition Match free and mobile-friendly?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up needed. The two-column layout works on a phone in portrait — the left and right columns sit side by side without horizontal scroll, and every word and definition card is a 44px touch target. The whole round fits on one screen so there is no fiddly scrolling during play.