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Building vocabulary for the 11+

Updated 2026-11-04

A strong vocabulary helps in almost every part of the 11+, from comprehension and verbal reasoning to creative writing and even maths word problems. The good news is that vocabulary grows best through activities children enjoy, a little at a time.

Why vocabulary matters

Many 11+ questions depend on knowing what words mean. Synonym and antonym questions, odd-one-out puzzles and missing-word sentences are obvious examples, but vocabulary also matters in comprehension, where an unfamiliar word in a passage or a question can throw a child off course. In writing, a varied vocabulary helps children say exactly what they mean.

Vocabulary is not just about long or unusual words. Knowing the precise difference between similar words, such as 'reluctant' and 'refuse', or understanding that a word can have more than one meaning, is just as valuable.

Reading widely

Reading is the single most effective way to build vocabulary over time. Books introduce words in context, so children see how they are used and can often work out their meaning from the sentence around them. The more varied the reading, the more varied the words.

Mix modern fiction with older classics, which often use richer or less familiar language.
Include non-fiction on topics your child loves, such as animals, space, history or sport.
Try poetry, which packs a lot of interesting words into a small space.
Read aloud together, even with confident readers; you can pause on interesting words.
Let your child choose some books, so reading stays a pleasure rather than a task.

Encourage your child to notice words they do not know. They might jot them down on a bookmark or in a notebook, then look them up later rather than interrupting the story.

Word lists that actually work

Word lists can be useful, but only if they are used actively. Memorising long lists of definitions rarely sticks. A short list of perhaps five to ten words a week, explored properly, works far better.

For each word, talk about its meaning, think of a synonym and an antonym, and put it into a sentence of your child's own. Look at word families too: knowing 'benefit' helps with 'beneficial' and 'beneficiary'. Learning common prefixes and suffixes, such as 'un-', 'mis-', '-ous' and '-ful', gives children tools to work out unfamiliar words for themselves.

Return to old words regularly. A quick review of last week's list before adding new words helps move them into long-term memory.

Games and everyday conversation

Vocabulary practice does not have to look like work. Many families find that games and chat do more than any worksheet.

Play word games such as word association, categories or making as many words as possible from a long word.
Play a 'better word' game: swap everyday words like 'nice', 'big' or 'said' for more precise ones.
Do crosswords and word searches designed for children.
Use interesting words naturally in conversation, and explain them if asked.
Talk about words you meet in daily life: on signs, in recipes, on the news.
Try a 'word of the day' on the fridge and see who can use it at dinner.

Flash cards

Flash cards are a quick, flexible way to review words. Write the word on one side and a short definition, synonym or example sentence on the other. A few minutes at breakfast, in the car or before bed is enough. Sort the cards into piles of words your child knows well and words that need more practice, and review the second pile more often.

Children can make their own cards, which is a useful learning activity in itself. If you would rather start with a ready-made set, we have free online flash cards on this website that you can use on a phone, tablet or computer.

Using new words in writing

A word is truly learned when a child can use it confidently. Encourage your child to try one or two new words in their own writing, whether a story, a diary entry or a letter to a relative. Praise good choices, and gently talk about any word that does not quite fit; that conversation is often where real understanding happens.

Be careful not to overdo it. A story crammed with unusual words can be harder to read than one that uses a few well-chosen ones. The aim is precision, not showing off.

Keeping it steady

Vocabulary grows slowly, so start early if you can and keep going a little at a time. Ten minutes of word play most days, plus regular reading, will do more over a year than a frantic burst in the final weeks. Above all, keep it fun. A child who enjoys words will keep collecting them long after the 11+ is over.

Questions parents ask

How many new words should my child learn each week?

A handful, perhaps five to ten, explored properly and reviewed regularly, is more effective than a long list memorised once.

Are word lists or reading better for vocabulary?

Both help, but reading widely builds vocabulary most naturally. Short word lists are a useful extra, especially when the words are used in sentences.

When should we start working on vocabulary?

As early as is comfortable. Reading and word games can start in Year 4 or earlier, building gradually without any pressure.

Want to see what a paper set out like your child's test looks like? Every pack and handbook has a free sample. Find your test area or try the free flash cards.