So, how large is it?

[Z488411]

Very impressive.

I just got 40000, but as a second language I'm still quite proud.

[DeadCell]

I am actually quite pleased :)

Your total vocabulary size is estimated to be: 25,300 words

[Ember Star]

34,300

Not bad.

[Mossberg]

Huh.. I got 23,900.

[MHaji]

40,100. I tried to only pick words where I could actually say an accurate definition aloud, and checked when I was uncertain that the definition was precise enough for my taste. Words that threw me included williwaw and cantle.

[Mikem]

Estimated 20,100 words.

Well aren't I just at the bottom of the native speakers ladder.

New estimate of 23,000 words. I gained 2,900!   ;D

[Sir Percival the Gallant]

'Your total vocabulary size is estimated to be: 39,200 words.'

Not bad—I thought I'd have scored less. It certainly helps to know Latin and Greek, as well as another modern European language, especially French (which I do, plus a smattering of Italian). But even then, English writers have long obsessed over verbal precision, and knowing these languages does not always clarify, or even point to, the meaning of all the English words we have borrowed from them. Our wordstock is so huge and diverse, especially considering all the jargon, that there is nothing of it but to have a dictionary close to hand to learn the meaning, and likely the pronunciation, too. Many other languages are more content to assign a specific technical sense to a word that has long been familiar, whereas English often prefers to borrow a foreign word or construct one from Classical roots. Though I especially love Old English/Anglo-Saxon for aesthetic reasons, I really wish sometimes that English had evolved more like German (or even more extreme, like Icelandic), with a retention of much of the native vocabulary, and a reliance on native roots to construct longer, more complicated words (or multiple words). Spelling would be much easier, grammar would probably be more consistent, and it would be easier to learn more complicated words since they'd derive from native shorter words and affixes. Of course, there would be no Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton or any of the other greats as we know them, but I'd still prefer it.

A word of comfort and encouragement, too, to those dissatisfied with the size of their vocabularies: a large vocabulary is no guarantee of being a skilful writer, though it certainly can help. On good writing, H.W. Fowler remarks in Modern English Usage in 'Love of the Long Word' that, 'It is a general truth that the short words are not only handier to use, but more powerful in effect; extra syllables reduce, not increase, vigour. This is particularly so in English where the native words are short and the long words are foreign,' and, 'Good English does consist in the main of short words.' Now, I'm guilty, as many others are, of waxing pedantic, but as the years have passed, I've come to appreciate simpler writing. Much of that opinion was my experience in the academic world. Simple language allows a writer to connect a genuine level with a reader and establish trust. Loading diction with polysyllabic monstrosities and foreign vogues creates what feels like veil after veil of disconnexion. At extremes, it's an author's descent into solipsism. A doubting writer can easily hide behind such diction when others offer criticism.

So, sure, learn those weird words if you like (I enjoy it, just because they're exotic), but trust in the everyday. It will serve you well.

[Aethereal]

       Estimated 36,700 words. Higher than I thought, given that English is my third language. (Several of those words were of the kind I had literally only encountered once and looked up ... luckily, I've a good memory.)
       

[Verina]

Hmm... 33,600
Bigger then I expected, but some of those words just didn't look like English, or modern English anyway.

[persephone325]

Wow... I...feel so uneducated compared to everyone else.

I only got 20,200... I think some words I didn't check off because I didn't know how to pronounce them when I saw them. But I bet if someone read them off to me, I'd be able to check off more.

[FionaM]

30,300

[Celestial_Majestic]

28,800

That last column surely had some made up words in it XD

[Mirberry]

31,400
this actually surprises me just a touch, I had no idea I had that large a vocabulary spectrum honestly

[Christine]

The fact that I know most of the hard words, yet can't use them properly in normal language tells me so much about the uselessness of standardized tests I had to cram these for.

[Yarnover]

30,200. I'm really surprised to get such a high number!

[Leki]

Looked at the first page and though "This is easy"
Got to the second page... and... Oh dear me xD
21,400 words, so I guess it's not abysmal, but kind of sad compared to what others here have gotten.
I guess that's what happens when you stop reading at 15 >_<

But yeah, third column... I felt like I was reading a list of foreign words xD

[Firethem]

27 000

There were many french roots in some of those words, which helped. I found it funny when the test told me that as a second language, most people know around 2500-9000 words. I guess video games sure helped me a lot XD

[theLeslie]

I got 33,400 words, but I feel like I cheated.  Many of these words I only knew because of role playing games.

Neat test, though.  I thought it was easy till the last page, then I was pretty sure none of those were real words.

[AmberStarfire]

28,500
words

It's been quite a while since I last took the test so I figured I would again and see if there had been any change.

This time I got 31,200 words, so a bit better this time.

[SoldadoM]

I feel pretty good about my 33,200.

[Kuroneko]

My link isn't working either, but I also got 44,700.

[Zenkai]

36,600. Not bad considering English is my 3rd languague  ;D I guess knowing some pig latin helped.

[Harper Agent]

I only know five words.

[Datsun]

30,900. Some of the words in the third column I've never even heard spoken let alone understand! Fun little quiz though.

[Nnaasttey]

...19.8 k....man I'm stupid.